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

Internal Parasites Hair (Stomach)worms Lung worms Coccidia

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

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

Coccidia 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 Flies Mosquitoes Ticks Lice Mites

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

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

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

Mosquito In addition to blood loss and irritation mosquitoes can cause death by asphyxiation of young animals Mosquito control is difficult and usually ineffective 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 Use premise control On animal use CoRal, Permethrin, ear tags (not less than 3 months of age!)

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

Lice Biting (1 specie) Sucking (5 species) Control Feeds on skin and hair Sucking (5 species) Short and long nose (head, neck and brisket) and cattle tail louse 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 Control with Taktic, CoRal, Lindane, Permethrin twice or with Ivomec, Dectomax, Cydectin

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

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

Questions?