Could Parasites be Sabotaging your Show Pig Project? Here’s What You Need to Know.

• Discover the surprising impact that parasites can have on your show pigs’ performance and appearance, and learn proven strategies for effective parasite control.
• Learn my proven strategies for effective parasite control, including my trusted deworming schedule.
• Explore the key products you need to achieve your goals.

Read on for the whole story!

Why should You Care:

I’m a veterinarian working with show pig exhibitors for 30 plus years. One valuable lesson I’ve learned is that winning show pigs are healthy show pigs. When it comes to their health, nothing can undermine that more than parasites. Internal and external can wreak havoc on your show pigs. Parasites can affect their growth, performance and appearance. With this in mind, I want to share recommendations for maintaining effective parasite control using proven strategies.

Types of Parasites:

First, it’s essential to understand the the types of parasites that could affect your show pigs. Internal parasites are roughly divided into round body and flat bodied worms. Roundworms are the most common internal parasite in pigs. The most common flat bodied worm that we encounter are whipworms. Both of these kinds of worms rob your pig of nutrients and damage gut health. External parasites like lice and mange can lead to skin irritation and stress. Both internal and external parasites can spiral into more significant problems if they are not addressed. Proven strategies for effective parasite control involve targeting these parasites comprehensively.

Proven Strategies for Parasite Control in the Receiving Period:

The first step to parasite control begins in the receiving period. You want to get off to a great start and the receiving period is your best opportunity to get a handle on both internal and external parasites. Once you have all your pigs gathered up and in your show barn we recommend you use BOTH an ivermectin and fenbendazole (Safe Guard.)

When it comes to internal parasites ivermectin is only effective against round-bodied parasites. But they are effective against all the external parasites.

Clean Sweep, is our Safe Guard dewormer and it is very braod spectrum on internal parasites. It can control both round and flat bodied worms but has no effect on external parasites.

Next Steps of the Proven Strategies for Parasite Control:

The next step is to repeat the ivermectin shot 18 days or so later. This will break the external parasite life cycle. If you do not re-expose them by allowing physical contact with another pig with lice or mange they will stay lice and mange free for the duration of your project. They cannot transmit any other way than pig to pig contact.

If your pig does get re-exposed to mites you can eith repeat the ivermectin protocol or use Prolate. Whichever you choose treat every pig on the premises. If you use Prolate treat them every three days for a total of six treatments. Take at a peek at our blog about mites for more information about these common external parasites. Employing proven strategies for effective parasite control like these will ensure healthy pigs.

After that the internal parasite control program is very simple. Every 6 weeks or so give your pig another three day treatment with Clean Sweep at 1 scoop per 50 lbs of body weight.

These proven strategies for effective parasite control will help you stay on the right track with your show pig project. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or more insight. Our mission is to support you crushing your goals. Let us help.