New Cattle Dewormer, Valcor: 5 Facts

Are heavy parasite burdens burdening your cattle operation?

Parasites in cattle can cause weight loss, poor fertility, immunosuppression -- and in extreme situations, death -- and much more. As producers well know, cattle deworming plays an important role in their overall herd health protocols.

A common and effective practice, producers are often looking to parasite control through the lenses of combination deworming. This practice involves treating the animals with two dewormers from different classes, or ingredient families. There are three main ingredient families that make up parasiticides and those include Macrocyclic Lactones, Imidazothiazoles and Benzimidazoles. Within those ingredient families, there are different active ingredients.

A University of Maryland Extension article described the practice of combination deworming, saying, “With this approach, any parasites resistant to one drug class will likely be susceptible to the other class, which would greatly reduce selection pressure for resistance to either drug.  This method is much more effective in controlling the development of resistance than rotating between drug classes.”

In August of 2023, Zoetis introduced a new cattle dewormer to market, Valcor, which is a combination of doramectin and levamisole injection. This new injectable cattle wormer is the first and only combination endectocide in the United States that offers protection against internal and external parasites in cattle.

Experts weighed in on the benefits. “Valcor is the first approved dual active endectocide available by prescription,” stated Mark Alley, DVM, MBA, Diplomate, American College of Animal Welfare, and managing veterinarian with Zoetis beef technical services. “This particular product is the broadest spectrum injectable parasiticide on the market -- including control and treatment of up to 35 different parasites and their various stages.”

5 Facts About the New Injectable Cattle Wormer

1. Valcor features two different modes of action (i.e., how the product works against parasites), which adds benefit by way of reduced parasite resistance risk and an overall improved parasite control program.
2. In a challenge study of more than 1,500 heifers, those treated with Valcor gained 9.3 more pounds over 56 days.
3. Valcor can be used in beef cattle two months of age and older and in replacement dairy heifers less than 20 months of age. It's not intended for use in beef bulls for breeding, dairy calves or veal calves.
4. “The primary differentiation when we start looking at Valcor compared to Dectomax is the inclusion of levamisole. By doing that, we improve our control of internal parasites while maintaining our control of externals,” explained Dr. Alley. “Levamisole, in general, is very rapid acting. It reaches peak blood concentration in the animal in less than 12 hours.”
5. Valcor treats and controls adult stage and L4 stage of Haemonchus placei, Cooperia spp., and Ostertagia ostertagi (including inhibited L4), as well as the adult stage of Nematodirus helvetianus. It is also indicated for the treatment and control of lungworms, eyeworms, grubs, mange mites and sucking lice.

Shop cattle dewormers, including Valcor and more, at ValleyVet.com.