Resistance - wormers and antibiotics

Twenty years or so ago, Ivermectin was introduced. This new wormer was going to revolutionize the horse world. It was effective against almost every parasite except tape worms. We were even told that there was no reason to rotate wormers any more, "just use something else once a year to get the tapes."

Now, in 2007, ivermectin is listed as one of the wormers with the lowest efficacy, at least in sheep and goats.

When penicillin was introduced, it was truly a miracle. Now, most bacteria blow metaphorical raspberries at penicillin.

So, what is a livestock producer to do?

I used to think I was a healer. I knew which drugs to give for which types of infection and which natural support therapies to use for which imbalance. Now, I feel adrift. Even with the internet to research, I am having trouble figuring out how to treat my animals.

So, it's time to go back to the beginning. I learned about livestock by working with vets and professors and extension agents, as well as spending lots of time with the animals themselves. So, the critters are in place and Oct 12 there is a sheep and goat workshop in Booneville, AR. I'll let you know what I find out.

Foxbriar daily update:

• Wormed Fria (24 yr old reg. Arabian mare) w/Strongid
• Treated Kermit (3.5 mo old orphaned llama cria) w/bloat guard. liquid vitamins and Pedialyte
• Garden is gone! Must be bugs - something even ate the jalapenos and tomato plants!
• Giving Muppet (free-roaming guardian llama) 1/2 can Stock 12 morning and night trying to get some weight on him.
• Milking three does - Yampa (Oberhasli/Lamancha cross), Erie (Nubian/Lamancha cross) and Beth (yearling Lamancha) twice a day
• Bottle feeding - Mouse, Clyde (CVM/Jacob ram lambs), Crip and Squeak (both have moms but need supplemental feeding) and Kermit.
• Put Cricket and Constance in with Cappucino ( current nickname "Creampouf"), Constance jumped right out, Capp is boss over Crickey.
• Rams are doing well on two flakes of hay a day for both of them.
• Ewes seem to be gaining a little weight on 5 flakes hay and 2 cans Stock 12 morning and night. They have been very restless since we sold the 6 ewes and their lambs.