How to treat ticks in pigs? - briefly
Apply a licensed acaricide—such as pour‑on ivermectin, injectable doramectin, or an organophosphate dip—according to label dosage, treating the entire herd and repeating at the recommended interval. Complement chemical control with regular removal of infested bedding, pasture rotation, and resistance monitoring to maintain efficacy.
How to treat ticks in pigs? - in detail
Effective control of tick infestations in swine requires an integrated approach that combines accurate diagnosis, chemical interventions, environmental management, and regular monitoring.
First, confirm the presence of ticks by inspecting the skin, especially around the ears, neck, and ventral abdomen. Adult specimens, engorged nymphs, and larvae can be identified by their characteristic oval bodies and legs. Collect a few specimens for species identification, as treatment choice may vary between Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor species.
Chemical options include:
- Topical acaricides: Apply pour‑on formulations containing amitraz (0.5 % w/v) or permethrin (0.5 % w/v) to the dorsal midline at a dose of 0.2 mL kg⁻¹. Repeat after 14 days to cover the life cycle.
- Injectable preparations: Use ivermectin at 0.2 mg kg⁻¹ intramuscularly; repeat in four weeks if larvae persist.
- Oral drenches: Administer doramectin at 0.2 mg kg⁻¹ via feed or water. Ensure uniform distribution to avoid sub‑therapeutic exposure.
- Spray‑on solutions: For group treatment, spray a 0.1 % cypermethrin solution on the whole herd, allowing at least 30 minutes of contact time before returning animals to the pen.
When selecting a product, verify withdrawal periods for meat and ensure the formulation is approved for swine use in the relevant jurisdiction.
Environmental measures reduce re‑infestation risk:
- Remove vegetation and debris around housing to eliminate humid microhabitats favored by ticks.
- Rotate pastures every 2–3 months, allowing a minimum of 30 days without livestock to disrupt the tick life cycle.
- Apply acaricidal sprays to bedding, pens, and surrounding fences at a concentration of 0.5 % permethrin, repeating monthly during peak tick activity.
- Introduce biological agents such as entomopathogenic fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae) to soil and litter; apply at 1 × 10⁹ conidia m⁻² following manufacturer guidelines.
Implement a resistance management plan by alternating classes of acaricides every 6–8 weeks and avoiding repeated use of a single active ingredient. Record treatment dates, products, dosages, and observed efficacy in a herd health log.
Regular monitoring should include:
- Biweekly visual inspections of a representative sample (10 % of the herd).
- Tick counts per animal; record numbers of adults, nymphs, and larvae.
- Assessment of skin lesions or secondary infections that may require antimicrobial therapy.
If counts remain above 5 ticks per animal after two treatment cycles, consider a veterinary‑guided reassessment, which may involve off‑label use of newer acaricides or combination therapy.
By adhering to these protocols—accurate identification, appropriate chemical use, habitat modification, and systematic surveillance—farmers can achieve sustained reduction of tick burdens in swine populations.