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Barnyard Buddies:  Question Re Worming Donkeys  |
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Bella
True Blue Farmgirl
274 Posts
Karen
USA
274 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 08 2012 : 12:33:44 PM
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I have to give my donkeys their dewormer tomorrow and am getting a little nervous. I've done it twice before, using different brands each time. The vet put them on the following schedule:
January - Strongid Paste
April - Ivermectin or Zimectrin
July - Safeguard or Panacur
October - Zimecterin Gold Paste or Equimax (these for tapeworms)
The tubes of paste are usually for a 1,000 - 1,200 pound horse, so trying to figure out the proper dosage for a donkey is a little tricky. Whenever the vet administered the dose, I think he gave way over the weight of the donkey. I'd heard that it's better to overdose than underdose, but now I'm wondering just how much of an overdose is safe.
I bought one tube of Safeguard 1,000 lb. dose (unfortunately I got the unflavored kind) to use on Mama donkey and one-year-old gelding tomorrow. Just read that a good way to administer is to make a molasses sandwich cut into quarters. Give a plain quarter first, then follow with two dewormer paste-added quarters, then the final plain molasses quarter. The two times I've done this before I always just tried to hold the head and administer, but doing this by myself is difficult.
Any suggestions on safe amounts and how to give them? I'm going to use the measuring method today to determine the donkeys' weight, but right now I estimate that Mama weighs between 350-375 pounds and baby weighs about 250-275 pounds.
"Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have freedom, sunshine and a little flower." -Hans Christian Anderson |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2012 : 4:19:12 PM
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Before you worm them, get a "weight" tape. It measures the horse or donkey around the girth area and gives you a close approximate weight of your animal. You should be able to get a tape from your local feed or tack shop. Then give the correct dosage. Plan on being home or have a knowlegeable person there incase they get colicky. Some animals can colic when they pass large amounts of worms. I wouldn't over dose them but underdosing can cause more problems. You are also correct in rotating the types of dewormer and not the brands. On your next vet barn call, have your vet do a fecal to see what your donks may or may not have. Hope this helps.
Lorie
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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KansasFarmMomma
True Blue Farmgirl
91 Posts
91 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2012 : 4:25:38 PM
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I would recommend having a fecal float done at least once a year to make sure you are getting everything treated.
As for the proper dosage, The safeguard tubes have a little ring that spins around. There should be markings on the plunger that have weights on them (200, 400, 600 etc.) Just spin the little plunger to where you need it and squeeze out that much. I would dose momma for 400lbs and baby for 300lbs. You have to give them a LOT of extra to do any damage, plus it's inevitable that they will spit some out. Our horses range from 900-1100lbs and they all get a full tube because they always end up spitting some out.
Edited to add- Look how much your tube weighs...it's not uncommon for a heavily wormed horse to be put on a multiple day treatment "power dose" or "power pack" if you are using Panacur. For safeguard that is one(25 gram) tube a DAY for 5 days per 550lbs. Giving a little extra one time is really not going to hurt.
Nicole
Farmgirl # 4209
www.bearpawphotography.weebly.com
www.KShappyhomemaker.wordpress.com
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Edited by - KansasFarmMomma on Jul 08 2012 4:30:28 PM |
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Bella
True Blue Farmgirl
274 Posts
Karen
USA
274 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2012 : 6:42:13 PM
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Thanks for the good advice Lorie and Nicole. And, Nicole, congratulations on your baby! Pray you have a healthy pregnancy and safe and easy delivery.
"Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have freedom, sunshine and a little flower." -Hans Christian Anderson |
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KansasFarmMomma
True Blue Farmgirl
91 Posts
91 Posts |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2012 : 09:14:39 AM
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A person can put applesauce in an old wormer tube and play around with it between wormings to get them to warm up to being wormed.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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Barnyard Buddies: Question Re Worming Donkeys |
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Question Re Worming Donkeys
