Cattle Parasites
Intestinal Nematodes Loss of appetite Immuno-suppression Destruction of gastric glands and interference with protein digestion Loss of tissue fluid
Strongyles Over 30 different genera and/or species of intestinal nematodes which have eggs that look similar. “Strongyles or strongyle-type eggs” In general, treated the same Digestive tract May compete for nutrients, cause tissue damage, or suck blood (anemia)
Strongyles
Trichostrongyles Ostertagia ostertagi Recognized as the most important nematode parasite of cattle raised in temperate climates Can developmentally arrest Large economic impact on cattle industry – treatment and prevention costs
Ostertagia ostertagi Brown stomach worm 6-10 mm Larvae destroy gastric glands Severe diarrhea & weight loss Fecal flotation Tx: Albendazole, Fenbendazole, Ivermectin, Moxidextin
Cooperia spp. Cattle bankrupt worm 4-8 mm D+ Anorexia Depressed growth Synergistic with Ostertagia ostertagia Fecal flotation Tx: Albendazole, Fenbendazole, Ivermectin, Moxidectin
Bunostomum spp. Hookworm 10-28 mm Anemia D+ Weight loss Fecal flotation Tx: Albendazole, Fenbendazole, Ivermectin, Moxidectin
Trichuris ovis Whipworm 2-3 mm Rarely pathogenic Fecal flotation Tx: Fenbendazole, Ivermectin
Capillaria sp. Capillary worm 5-8 mm Mostly nonpathogenic Fecal flotation Tx: None tested
Dictyocaulus viviparus Lungworm 3-8 cm Cough Dyspnea Lethargy Baermann technique, fecal flotation Tx: Albendazole, Fenbendazole, Ivermectin, Moxidectin
Fasciola hepatica Common liver fluke 3-4 cm Hepatic trauma Hepatitis Death Fecal sedimentation Tx: Albendazole, Clorsulon, Nitroxynil, Raoxanide
Moniezia benedeni Tapeworm Up to 100 cm Mostly nonpathogenic Proglottids on stool, fecal flotation Tx: Albendazole, Dichlorophen, Fenbendazole, Niclosamide
Tritrichomonas foetus Protozoan 10-25 um Early abortion storms Pyometra Preputial washings & culture Tx: Ipronidazole, Metronidazole
Babesia bigemina Babesia, Texas Cattle Fever 2-3 um x 4-5 um Anemia Splenomegaly Blood smear Tx: Antibiotics, Dip for ticks
Eimeria spp. Coccidia 16-47 um x 13-32 um Bloody diarrhea Death Decreased production D+ Fecal flotation Tx: Amprolium, Sulfamethazine
Cryptosporidium spp. Crypto 6 um x 6 um Zoonotic D+ Fecal flotation Tx: Supportive care
Cochliomyia hominivorax Screwworm Up to 15 mm REPORTABLE Maggots penetrate tissue Identify larvae Tx: Ivermectin, Organophosphates
Cochliomyia hominivorax Female can lay up to 500 eggs per day Eggs hatch ~ 12 hours Larvae feed and produce dark, foul-smelling liquid which attract more flies – can quickly become infested with thousands of larvae Larvae feed for 5-7 days before dropping to ground as pupae Pupae hatch into adults ~ 7 days
Sarcoptes scabiei Mange mite REPORTABLE in some states Skin scraping Tx: Ivermectin, Eprinomectin, Doramectin
Cattle Grub or Warbles Hypoderma bovis or Hypoderma lineatum Significance: hide and flesh damage = economic loss, irritation = weight loss and decreased milk production Diagnosis: look for breathing pores or eggs on coat Treatment: Avermectins
Cattle Grub