Monday, July 17, 2006

Store Anthelmintics Properly

Worm infections increasingly threaten the profitability of the sheep and goat industry as the prevalence and severity of anthelmintic resistance continues to rise. Internal parasite (worm) control can be a most frustrating area to deal with. We know that it is important to administer the correct dosage of dewormer to sheep and goats, but have you considered where you keep your bottles of dewormer?

Products should be stored in their original containers, kept tightly closed, and kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Do not leave the bottles on the dash board of your truck to get baked in the summer heat. Prolonged exposure of ivermectin to light can result in a gradual decline of ivermectin potency in the formulation. Perhaps leaving the bottle in the sun is a cause for decreased efficacy (and resulting parasite resistance to the anthelmetic). In addition, be sure to check the expiration date/shelf life.

For those using a soluble sheep drench powder (e.g. Prohibit™), the unused solution should be used all at once or can be stored for a maximum of 90 days according to the label. The solution should be stored in a clean, tightly capped bottle which is kept between 59° - 86°F (this means don’t store it in the barn in the summer heat). If the solution is older, don’t take a chance -- discarded it.

To decrease parasite resistance to the few products available for sheep and goats, remember to store them properly.

Provided by Kelly Cole

Anthelmintics Used to Control Internal Parasites in Livestock

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