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