Calf Talk

August, 2003

Volume 9, No. 8

DON'T USE REDUCED DOSE IVERMECTINS FOR FLIES

By Russ Schnepper, DVM

I see calf raisers using reduced doses of generic ivermectin type pour ons for fly control. It is true the price on these generic products has fallen drastically. But it still costs $0.37/calf for the fly control when you could do it for $0.05/calf with Ultraboss. It is not the price I object to as much as it is the misuse of a product.

When systemic insecticides are used at a reduced dose, the worms are not all killed, they are merely exposed to the insecticide and have an opportunity to develop a resistance to it. The insecticide may become ineffective for future use.

The same scenario exists with the use of antibiotics .Many bacteria that are not killed by the use of an antibiotic, can develop a resistance to the drug. The resistant bacteria then multiply and develop a population that is not killed by the antibiotic. This is the argument for not using our most potent antibiotics for conditions in which a lesser antibiotic would be effective. The more a bacterial population is exposed to a particular antibiotic, the more likely it is to develop a resistance to the drug.

Antibiotic resistance is a very large concern of the human medical establishment, but they want to blame antibiotic usage in animals for the problem in people. My family has had antibiotics prescribed by a physician four times recently and in all four cases it was "Cipro". Cipro was prescribed for all the people that were allegedly exposed to anthrax, when penicillin would have been adequate. The physicians are concerned about resistance to Cipro as it is considered one of their"big guns" for use in organ transplant patients, etc. We all hope the medical establishment cuts back on unnecessary antibiotic usage so when you and I have a problem that requires a potent antibiotic, it will still be effective. Cipro, used in human medicine, is in the same class of antibiotics as Baytril and A180 that
are used in veterinary medicine.

Prudent use of drugs is extremely important. Consumer groups, who know little about the scientific side of drug therapy, are making lots of noise and getting the politicians' attention. If it is perceived that producers are not using drugs properly, we leave ourselves open to having a political answer to all our disease problems, rather than a scientific one. While I was in Denmark, I rode on calls with a Danish Veterinarian. Danish dairyman can not even infuse a quarter for mastitis without a Veterinarian diagnosing the mastitis first. Most of Europe has these same rules. American livestock producers would be extremely stressed and financially drained if they had to have a Veterinarian diagnose every sick animal before it could be treated.

PLEASE USE DRUGS AND INSECTICIDES AS THEY ARE PRESCRIBED. If it is perceived that the livestock industry is prudent in the use of drugs, maybe we can delay onerous rules for a long time. Use Ultraboss pour on for the flies and save the ivermectin for the worms and grubs.

Contact information for ordering information and questions about our products:

Schnepper International, Inc.

3162 County B, Platteville, WI 53818

608-348-6141, Fax: 608-348-6146