Popular wormers and their effect on immunity

Anthelmintic wormers are increasingly sophisticated and varied. However, in terms of their effect on lungworm, there are really only three types:

  1. Continuous - constant worm killing
  2. Pulsed - provides gaps between worm killing.
  3. "Leaky" - killing most worms but not all, thus reducing the degree of challenge.

The effect of wormers on immunity can best be illustrated by analogy with a roof.

Continuous

eg long acting, continuous release wormers.
Continuous worming reduces the chance of any natural challenge.

 

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Pulsed

These are designed to allow natural challenge to occur between the pulses of wormer activity eg pulse release oxfendazole boluses, pour-on or injectable longacting avermectins. These can be administered at strategic intervals (eg 3, 8 and 13 weeks).

pulsed wormerspulsed wormer

 

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Leaky

eg Long-acting and continuously releasing fenbendazole.

 

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