Demodicosis in cattle

Demodicosis in cattle is a disease caused by mites of the genus Demodex, which parasitize the skin of animals. When cows are severely affected, there is a significant reduction in milk production, andcalves can die from exhaustion and intoxication. In addition, the cost of skin from an animal affected by demodicosis is reduced by 20-40%.

Causes

Demodicosis in cattle spreads quickly. Mites live in colonies in the hair follicles of the sweat and sebaceous glands. Each colony contains several thousand parasites, and the total number of colonies on an animal’s body can be up to 4 thousand.

Female ticks lay eggs , from which the larva emerges after 5-6 days. After a week, she turns into a protonymph, then into a teleonymph, then into an imago. The development cycle of the parasite is 25-30 days.

An adult tick is microscopic in size. Infection with demodicosis in cattle occurs from sick animals, as well as through dirty tools or farmer’s clothes. If one animal shows symptoms of the disease, it should be immediately isolated, after which the entire herd, including calves, should be examined.

Symptoms

With demodicosis in cattle, the lesions are localized in the neck, head, chest, shoulder blades, and back. Externally, they look like rounded tubercles up to 10 millimeters in diameter. Liquid is released from the surface of the tubercles. If you press on them, a waxy white-gray discharge appears. There is no itching with demodicosis.

Treatment

Therapy begins after confirmation of the diagnosis. Medicines are selected individually, taking into account the severity of the disease and the current state of health of the animal. In addition to the main course of treatment, the use of immunostimulants and restoratives is indicated.

Drugs

For the treatment of cows, Ivermec is administered intramuscularly at a dosage of 1 ml/50 kg of body weight twice with an interval of 8-10 days or once Meradoc is administered subcutaneously at a dose of 1 ml/50 kg of body weight in combination with immunomodulators, which usually ensures complete recovery even in generalized advanced forms of the disease.