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

Trich 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 Fever 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