PARASITOLOGY - Ectoparasites Flashcards
(52 cards)
Why are ectoparasites typically more prevalent in housed ruminants?
Increased contact between animals
Longer hair coats
Housing provides ideal environment for ectoparasites
What are the two most common lice seen in cattle?
Bovicola bovis (chewing louse)
Linognathus vituli (sucking louse)
What is the distinctive morphological feature of bovicola bovis?
Bovicola bovis has a round head
Where on the body is bovicola bovis typically found?
Bovicola bovis is typically found on the withers, shoulders and dorsum of cattle
What are the clinical signs of bovicola bovis?
Pruritis
Hair loss
Lick marks
Lice eggs on hair shafts
Adult lice visible
What can also cause hair loss around the neck and shoulders in housed cattle?
Housed cattle can also have hair loss as a result of feed barriers, however, this will not be accompanied by pruritis
What is the distinctive morphological feature of linognathus vituli?
Linognathus vituli has a distinct long, pointed head
Where on the body is linognathus vituli typically found?
Linognathus vituli is typically found on the head, face and neck (as it is a blood feeder)
What are the clinical signs of linognathus vituli?
Dark lice (as its a blood feeder) on the neck, head and around the eyes
Anaemia (rare and only in severe cases)
How do you diagnose lice in cattle?
Assess clinical signs
Tape samples and microscope assessment
What is the most common mite seen in cattle?
Chorioptes bovis (chewing mite)
Where on the body is chorioptes bovis found?
Chorioptes bovis causes tail head and heel bulb mange
What are the clinical signs of chorioptes bovis in cattle?
Pruritis
Hair loss
Self-excoriation
Foot stamping
What are the less common mites seen in cattle?
Sarcoptes scabiei (burrowing mite)
Psoroptes ovis (sucking mite)
What are the clinical signs of sarcoptes scabiei?
Pruritis
Thick crusts
Hyperkeratosis
Self-excoriation
Which cattle breeds are at an increased risk of psoroptes ovis?
Belgian Blue
Charollais
Due to their light coloured skin
What are the clinical signs of psoroptes ovis in cattle?
Moist, exudatory, inflammatory, expanding dermatitis
Pruritis
Where are psoroptes ovis mites found?
Psoroptes ovis mites are found at the periphery of the lesions (keep this in mind when doing skin scrapes)
What is the distinctive morphological feature of psoroptes ovis?
Psoroptes ovis have thin tubercles at the end of their legs
How do you diagnose mites in cattle?
Assess clinical signs
Skin scrapes and microscope assessment
What are the consequences of ectoparasites in cattle?
Welfare issue
Decreased productivity
Production losses
Poor growth rates
Hide damage
Treatment costs
If cattle are itching, won’t be eating, ruminating etc.
How do you treat lice and mites in cattle?
Treat all animals with synthetic pyrethroids or macrocyclic lactones and keep treated animals seperate from untreated animals. Boviocola bovis and chorioptes will require a topical product. Also make sure to clean the shed in between seasons
But make sure to check the data sheet to ensure the drug, formulation and route of administration you’re using will work for the mite or louse you have identified. Also check withdrawal period!
What are the two most common lice seen in sheep?
Bovicola ovis (chewing louse)
Linognathus vituli (sucking louse)
How do you treat lice in sheep?
Treat all animals with synthetic pyrethroids or organophosphate dips and keep treated animals seperate from untreated animals
But make sure to check the data sheet to ensure the drug, formulation and route of administration you’re using will work for the louse you have identified. Also check withdrawal period!
