Some Internal and External Parasites of Cattle Sam

Some Internal and External Parasites of Cattle Sam Womble County Extension Agent – Ag/NR Bexar County

Internal Parasites Hair (Stomach)worms n Lung worms n Coccidia n

Hair Worms Infected cattle pass eggs in manure, larvae hatch and move to grass and are ingested n Mature in 3 weeks n Transmission occurs when soil temperature is between 55 and 75 F and conditions are humid n Larvae die in summer and hibernate in winter n

Lung Worms Lung worms cause a lung disease in cattle with clinical signs similar to those of allergies, viruses and bacteria. n Transmission is the same as for hairworms. n Lung worm disease occurs in previously unexposed cattle and calves. n

Coccidia n Coccidia cause an intestinal disease of young cattle – Transmitted from manure and ingested – Rain, cold or stress induced – Black or bloody scours – Treatment includes Amprol, Corid, Deccox, Bovatec and Rumensin

External Parasites n n n Flies Mosquitoes Ticks Lice Mites

Face Fly About the size of a house fly, face flies are responsible for transmission of pinkeye n Control includes sprays, dusts, oilers and pour-ons. n

Horn Fly Horn flies reproduce in fresh manure n Bite and suck blood and irritate animal n Treatment at 250 flies/head (2 hands) n Treatment includes sprays, dusts and dust bags, back rubbers, ear tags, a feed additive (Altosid), and pour-ons (with or without dewormer) n

Heel (Grub) Fly Flies lay eggs on heels of cattle in late winter and early spring n Eggs hatch and burrow into skin and travel through body emerging in fall along the back n Treatment includes Co. Ral, Warbex, Spotton, Neguvon, Tiguvon, or Prolate by early July or Ivomec, Eprinex, Dectomax and Cydectin later n

Mosquito In addition to blood loss and irritation mosquitoes can cause death by asphyxiation of young animals n Mosquito control is difficult and usually ineffective n – Reduce areas of standing water – Remove cattle to other locations

Soft (Ear) Ticks Spinose ear ticks can transmit anaplasmosis and cause nerve and tissue damage n Use premise control n On animal use Co. Ral, Permethrin, ear tags (not less than 3 months of age!) n

Hard Ticks Lone Star and Gulf Coast ear ticks are the 2 most prevalent n Use premise control n On animal use Atroban, Co. Ral, Permethrin n

Lice n Biting (1 specie) – Feeds on skin and hair n Sucking (5 species) – Short and long nose (head, neck and brisket) and cattle tail louse n Control – Chemical at 2 week intervals, some tags or use Ivomec, Eprinex, Dectomax or Cydectin – Mostly problem during winter and summer months

Mites Feed on surface or just under the skin n Control with Taktic, Co. Ral, Lindane, Permethrin twice or with Ivomec, Dectomax, Cydectin n

Other Concerns n Bloat – gas accumulates in the animal high on the calf’s left side – Feed an ionophore, 1 pt. mineral oil/feeding n Founder – inflammation of the hoof tissue due to rapid growth – Anti-inflammatory drugs, remove grain from diet n Foot Rot – caused by bacteria which enters through a break in the skin or hoof – Sulfa boluses, anti-bacterial ointment

Continued… n Ringworm – caused by a fungus infection of the skin – 7% iodine, captan, ivermectin n Warts – caused by a virus – Vaccinate, mineral deficiency, cut them off and feed to animal n Scours – diarrhea, loose stool caused by abrupt changes to feed and/or stress – Sanitation, antibiotics, electrolytes, probias

Questions?