Pumpkin Spice & Worms in the Gut
There’s something about fall that makes us start checking things off the list. Maybe even begin the "why did I say I'd do EVERYTHING in the fall" panic.
Hay is being put up, fences are getting one last look, animals are growing their winter coats, and everyone is preparing for the long months ahead.
While we’re thinking about cooler temperatures and winter chores, parasites may still be quietly taking advantage of your livestock.
After a long grazing season, animals have spent months exposed to parasite eggs and larvae on pasture. Young stock have been growing, mothers have been nursing, and every animal has been putting energy toward simply keeping up with the demands of summer. By fall, a parasite burden can leave animals heading into winter at a disadvantage.
And nobody wants to spend the winter feeding parasites, too.
Why Fall Deworming Matters
Parasites compete with your animals for the nutrients they need to maintain body condition and prepare for winter. A heavy parasite load can contribute to:
Weight loss or poor body condition
Reduced growth in young animals
Rough or dull hair coats
Anemia, especially in sheep and goats
Reduced milk production
Lower overall performance and immune resilience
As pasture quality begins to decline, it becomes even more important that animals are able to make the most of every pound of hay, grain, minerals, and remaining forage they consume.
Fall parasite management can help ensure your livestock head into winter in the strongest condition possible—not carrying around unwanted passengers.
Types of De-wormer for Your Animals
The best de-wormer for ruminant animals (like cattle, sheep, and goats) depends on the specific parasites you need to treat, but they are generally grouped into three main chemical classes.
1. Benzimidazoles (White De-wormers)
How they work: These are broad-spectrum oral medications (given as a liquid drench, paste, or feed pellet) that target stomach worms, intestinal worms, and tapeworms.
Common options: Safe-Guard 10% Suspension (fenbendazole) and Valbazen Suspension Broad Spectrum Dewormer (albendazole), which also targets liver flukes.
2. Macrocyclic Lactones
How they work: These target both internal roundworms and external pests like lice and mites. They are usually given as an injection or a liquid pour-on applied to the back.
Common options: Ivermectin and Cydectin Pour-On (moxidectin).
3. Imidazothiazoles
How they work: These are strong treatments used mostly for tackling stubborn roundworms and lungworms.
Common options: Levamisole (sold as Prohibit), usually given as a liquid drench or injection.
Best Practices
Weigh your animals: Always weigh each animal first to avoid underdosing, which causes the worms to build drug resistance.
Rotate classes: Talk to your veterinarian or local feed store about rotating between different de-wormer classes to keep treatments effective.
The best de-wormer for Equine, Pork or Poultry animals (horses, chickens, pigs, water foul or gamebirds) Fenbendazole (such as Safe-Guard) and Ivermectin (such as Ivomec or Noromectin) are the most effective and commonly used de-wormers for non-ruminant animals like horses and pigs.
Common Chemical Classes
Benzimidazoles (Fenbendazole): Safe, broad-spectrum oral de-wormers that target gastrointestinal roundworms. Brands like Safe-Guard are often mixed directly into feed or given as a paste.
Macrocyclic Lactones (Ivermectin / Moxidectin): Powerful options that treat both internal roundworms and external parasites like lice and mange. They are available as pastes, injectables, or pour-ons depending on the species.
Species-Specific Considerations
Horses: Require precise weight-based dosing, usually via oral paste (e.g., fenbendazole or ivermectin combinations like Equimax) to target bots and strongyles.
Pigs: Often treated using feed-additive premixes or injectable ivermectin for control over roundworms and nodular worms.
Poultry: Safe-Guard AquaSol (fenbendazole) is an FDA-approved water-soluble option for backyard flocks. Some people prefer natural approaches for their backyard flock puppies such as herbal mixes, garlic, pumpkin seeds, or apple cider vinegar. Conventional versus Natural doesn't necessarily have a better outcome over the other but often comes down to the farmer's personal preferences or ideals.
It’s Not Just “Deworm Everything and Call It Good”
Just like spring parasite control, fall deworming works best when it is part of a larger management plan.
Strategic treatment can help reduce unnecessary de-wormer use and slow the development of parasite resistance. Using the same product repeatedly—or treating every animal without considering parasite levels—can contribute to worms that are increasingly difficult to control.
Consider:
Fecal testing to determine which animals actually need treatment
Monitoring body condition and overall thriftiness
Paying special attention to young stock
Identifying animals that repeatedly struggle with parasite burdens
Rotating or selecting de-wormer classes strategically when appropriate
Managing pasture and avoiding overstocking when possible
The goal isn’t simply to eliminate every parasite. It’s to manage parasite populations while keeping your animals healthy and helping preserve the effectiveness of the de-wormers we rely on.
Help Your Animals Head Into Winter Strong
Fall is all about preparation. We prepare our barns, stack our hay, check our water systems, and make sure there’s enough feed for the months ahead.
Parasite control deserves a place on that list, too.
Animals entering winter in good body condition are better prepared for cold weather and the nutritional demands of the season. Whether you raise cattle, sheep, goats, horses, or a little bit of everything, taking time to evaluate parasite pressure now can help prevent problems from following your herd into winter.
Because winter is expensive enough without feeding a bunch of freeloading worms.
We have de-wormers available for cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, and we’re happy to help you talk through the options for your animals and management program.
Before the snow flies, make sure your parasite control plan is checked off the list.
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