Does fasting sheep pre- dosing help?

Western Pomise

With the bad rainy weather I have struggled to get this years ewe lambs I'm keeping as replacements sheared.The plan is to get them into an airy shed tomorrow and get them sheared on Saturday.They will have had 24 hours to empty out so was thinking of giving them a fluke and worm dose then like 'Duotech'.I remember hearing before that if you dose sheep when their stomach is empty that the dose ingredients have a better effect on worms,Fluke etc.

What do others here think of this theory?....it makes sense to me.

Ps - as an aside my ewe lambs will be grazing wet enough ground over the winter so isn't it a good idea to give them a combined Fluke and Worms dose at this time of the year? Thanks for any replies.

tomwaterford

I always assumed it would be...as the worms would take up the dose quicker??



-I assume my logic is 100% wrong here

Western Pomise

tomwaterford wrote: »

I always assumed it would be...as the worms would take up the dose quicker??



-I assume my logic is 100% wrong here

Thanks for reply,why do you think your logic is wrong?

ganmo

I thought it was due to the dilution.
If a 10ml dose goes into a full stomach vs one nearly empty it'll be more concentrated in the empty one therefor more effective.

LambMaster

Western Pomise wrote: »

With the bad rainy weather I have struggled to get this years ewe lambs I'm keeping as replacements sheared.The plan is to get them into an airy shed tomorrow and get them sheared on Saturday.They will have had 24 hours to empty out so was thinking of giving them a fluke and worm dose then like 'Duotech'.I remember hearing before that if you dose sheep when their stomach is empty that the dose ingredients have a better effect on worms,Fluke etc.

What do others here think of this theory?....it makes sense to me.

Ps - as an aside my ewe lambs will be grazing wet enough ground over the winter so isn't it a good idea to give them a combined Fluke and Worms dose at this time of the year? Thanks for any replies.

Considering most human medicines require there is food in the stomach I'd presume that it's the same for sheep as well.

ganmo

I'd only let them empty out i.e. Leave them for 4 hours at most 24 hours is too long

greysides

Dosing on an empty stomach does increase the effectiveness of the dose.

Human medicines needing some food in the stomach may be to do with minimising gastric side-effects.

Western Pomise

greysides wrote: »

Dosing on an empty stomach does increase the effectiveness of the dose.

Human medicines needing some food in the stomach may be to do with minimising gastric side-effects.

Thanks Greysides....how long would you consider sheep would need to be 'in' to have stomach empty to absorb dose better?

Thanks.

Western Pomise

ganmo wrote: »

I'd only let them empty out i.e. Leave them for 4 hours at most 24 hours is too long

Why would you feel 24 hours it too long?....where I had them in it didn't suit to feed them a bit of hay....they are clipped and dosed now anyway....for good or bad:)

Several lambs lame from the fact ground is so wet.

greysides

From http://www.scops.org.uk/anthelmintics-treating-correctly.html

Treating Correctly

Do You Drench Correctly?

1. Weigh - Don't Guess

Underestimating the weight of sheep is a common cause of under dosing. Select and weigh the biggest sheep in the group to determine the correct dose. If there is a wide range of weights, consider splitting the group, then weigh the heaviest in each section. Don't forget to check that the weigh-crate is accurate before you start!

2. Calibrate and Maintain the Drench Gun

Always check the gun is delivering the right amount before you drench. Use a calibration pot or remove the plunger from a 10ml syringe, put your thumb over the end and squirt the dose into it, making sure you have got rid of any air bubbles first. Adjust the gun until the dose delivered is correct. Drenching guns should also be well maintained and replaced regularly. Clean with warm soapy water after use and check springs and tubes to make sure there are no kinks that will form air bubbles.

3. Drench Correctly

The drenching technique is a vital part of ensuring that the wormer does its job effectively. Make sure the sheep are properly restrained and can’t leap around when you are drenching, so they swallow the whole amount. Sheep can also suffer serious injury, or even death, if they are unrestrained and the gun penetrates the tissues at the back of the mouth. Place a hand under the head and tilt slightly to the side. Slot the nozzle in the gap between molar and incisor teeth and then over the back of the tongue. You must get the nozzle over the back of the tongue. If the wormer is just put into the mouth, it will by-pass the rumen as it escapes down the oesophageal groove. This is particularly important for white (1-BZ) drenches.

Withholding Food

Research has shown that the efficacy of the white (1-BZ) and clear (3-ML) drenches can be improved by withholding food for 12-24 hours before treatment.

Storage

Wormers should be stored securely, away from direct sunlight at 4 — 25°C. Check the 'use by' date and once open use within the time shown on the packaging. Shake white (1-BZ) products well before use.