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Post by kansasdexters on Aug 19, 2014 7:20:14 GMT -5
Mike,
For Python Magnum tags (these are blue color), the label says "Do not use on calves under 3 months of age". Use 1 tag per head.
But for regular Python tags (these are purple color), the label says "For use on beef and dairy cattle (including lactating) and calves". Use 2 tags per head.
GardStar Plus tags (these are red color) can be used on calves, lactating and non-lactating dairy and beef cattle. Use 2 tags per head.
Corathon tags contain two organophosphates (Coumaphos and Diazinon), these can be used on beef and non-lactating dairy cattle and calves. Use 2 tags per cow and 1 tag per calf. Do not use on lactating cows.
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Post by legendrockranch on Aug 19, 2014 12:01:32 GMT -5
We keep all of our fly tags in a refrigerator, here is what is in ours now. Warrior, Patriot and Python Magnum. We prefer the Magnum because it is permethrin based tag that seems to last longer and is more powerfull then the other 2 because they are not pemethrin based. I mentioned earlier we wait until the calves are between 6-8 months instead of the 3 months that is listed on information sheet because Dexters are smaller than normal size calves. As otf mentioned you might want to consult your vet
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Post by legendrockranch on Aug 19, 2014 12:55:09 GMT -5
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Post by dexterfarm on Aug 19, 2014 21:27:53 GMT -5
all but a couple got python tags today. by the way the plastic studs that they come with are worthless we ended up using the metal tipped ones that we use with our id tags. they all got their eyes sprayed with vetricin. One was bad enough we gave a shot of draxin. The vet was not much help other than to say this is the worst year for it in a long time. They said nothing would help them but offer to sow their eyes shut. I tried to find some iodine supplement to put in their water. farm store said they had it but when I got their they did not. ended up getting loose mineral that was the highest I could find in iodine and vitamin A.
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Post by legendrockranch on Aug 19, 2014 22:45:00 GMT -5
All the best to your herd, keep us posted as to how things are going. I would be surprised if you had any face flies after a couple of days. Please don't prove me wrong Barb edited to add... We haven't had a problem with the plastic studs. Did you use a Y-Tex applicator with the tags? 2nd edit... just went to look at the backs of our Python Magnum tags, the buttons do have a metal head, but the total button is plastic.
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Post by dexterfarm on Aug 20, 2014 21:30:45 GMT -5
we have the regular not the magnum. maybe the plastic ends on the studs were just a failed attempt to cheapen them up. dont know what kind of tagger it is. it is a good heavy metal one. the pin on the tagger would go right through the plastic point on the stud. I thought i could use them on the ones that I was putting in existing ear holes but even had one of those fail. No new cases tonight. looks like all are getting better except for one steer that barely had it yesterday today it is kind of bad.
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Post by lonecowhand on Aug 21, 2014 18:20:04 GMT -5
dexterfarm, They offered to SEW THEIR EYES SHUT? Gadzukes,You must be mortified, I am. I assume that means the vet doesn't expect them to recover vision in the affected eye? Are these members of the Colorado herd?
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Post by carragheendexters on Aug 21, 2014 20:56:53 GMT -5
Dexterfarm, sounds like you may be getting on top of it then. It won't be too much longer and summer will be gone for you guys, and hopefully your fly situation will improve.
Lonecowhand, stitching eyelids together is an accepted practice for treating pink eye, it helps to rest the eye and protect it while the ulcer heals. The vets do this to give the animals the best chance of keeping their vision. After a week or so the stitches are removed and hopefully the eye has recovered. Vets usually only do this with the worst cases that need aggressive treatment, mild cases will usually respond to antibiotic (topical and injection) treatment
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Post by dexterfarm on Aug 21, 2014 21:27:29 GMT -5
it is common to do it. I dont know how helpful it is but mine are not that bad. It was my wife they told her that when she went to pick up some draxin. the vet I usually see was not there and the one that was said antibiotics would not do anything but they could sow their eyes.
I dont have my full Colorado yet. But 2 of them are half and yes they have it as well as their calves. One of the cows has it bad and one not to bad. I had 7 of them that stayed at my house this summer for milking. I dont have fly problems hear because I have a lot of chickens that do a good job. I was worried about bringing the others back and exposing these but had no choice. I have kept them as far away from the ones I brought back with the pink eye. hoping that the tags and spray will stop the other group from getting it. so far none of the 7 have gotten it. but may be to soon to tell.
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Post by arlen on Aug 24, 2014 21:33:02 GMT -5
When the Vet wanted to sew the eyes shut, he was probably talking about using absorbable suture and packing the eye full of medicine. after a week or so, the sutures dissolve and the eye is better. I've seen it done around here. It's effective for cattle that don't get allot of attention.
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Post by lonecowhand on Aug 27, 2014 12:03:05 GMT -5
Wow, thanks for the info, Louise, Mike,and Arlen. If it's ever necessary I won't freak out with the vet standing there. I hope yours get better soon. Bill
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Post by dexterfarm on Sept 16, 2014 16:34:01 GMT -5
well the tags did not work great. the flies did get less and less for about a week or 2 but we also did spray them all when we taged. I had to keep using sray to keep the flies under control. I think it depends on where you are at it sounds like many areas have built up a resistance to the tags. I will not use them again not worth it for me. I drug out an old rubber I had. That seams to work good. I put it right in front of their water. All the ones that had the pinkeye have been moved back to the grazing pastures now. some still have small spots but that will take a long time to go away. no more weeping or irritation.
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Post by legendrockranch on Sept 16, 2014 17:15:59 GMT -5
Sorry the tags didn't work well for you. They are still doing the job here, their faces are devoid of flies, their backs have very few. Most of the flies that are starting to come back are on their bellies.
Barb
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Post by kansasdexters on Sept 16, 2014 20:19:01 GMT -5
Here is a very effective homemade fly treatment:
4 Tbsp Cornstarch 2 cups water 1 cup Aloe Vera Juice 2 cups Vegetable Oil 1/4 cup Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap, I use "Baby Mild" 1/2 cup Vector-Ban Insecticide
Add cornstarch to 2 cups water and bring to a boil on the stove top, stirring constantly to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in Aloe Vera Juice. Mixture will be thick, stir in vegetable oil and liquid castile soap. The soap will emulsify the vegetable oil and the resulting thickened mixture will be white and relatively thick.
Pour the thickened, cooled mixture into a half gallon capacity mixing jug, then add the Vector-Ban insecticide, cap the jug, and shake to mix. Can be used as a pour-on (50 mL per animal) or wiped on with a paper towel and applied to the animal's belly, legs, back, poll, and face. This recipe makes about 5 cups, use it within a week or two after making it for maximum effectiveness. Reapply as needed, every week to 10 days. This will kill all of the flies on an animal, safely and effectively.
Patti
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Post by legendrockranch on Sept 16, 2014 20:36:44 GMT -5
Mike, the more I think about this the more I think you should contact the manufacturer. Best case scenario is if your not happy with the product they might refund the money you spent or offer you another type of fly tag. If your fly tags were a permethrin base they should have lasted way longer than the few weeks that they did. What is the base of the fly spray you use? The homemade fly treatment Patti gave you uses Vector-Ban Insecticide the base for that is permethrin.
Barb
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