Parasites in Livestock

Comprehensive Guide to Cattle Mite Infestation: Livestock Scabies Symptoms, Causes, treatment, and Control

Cattle infestations with ticks, also known as livestock scabies or mange, are caused by several species of ticks. Symptoms can range from mild scaling to severe skin lesions, discomfort, and secondary complications. Treatment for cattle mite depends on the correct identification of the tick species, the overall health and management status of the cattle, and the individual cow’s response to the infestation. Given the challenges of treating scabies, accurate identification of the tick species and understanding the disease process are crucial.

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What is Scabies and Mange

Scabies and mange are often used interchangeably. However, the US Department of Agriculture defines as “is any skin condition of man or animals associated with a mite; scabies is a particularly serious, debilitating, reportable mange condition“.

Ticks and Cattle: Feeding, Susceptibility, and Types

Ticks are not bloodsuckers but rather feed on skin and surrounding fluids. Susceptibility to these parasites varies among different cattle and breeds. Generally, there are two types of ticks:

Burrowing mites: These include species like Sarcoptes scabei and Demodex bovis, which burrow into the skin, live and reproduce within these tunnels. The mite matures in about three weeks and can lay eggs for up to 60 days.
Non-burrowing mites: These include species like Chorioptes bovis and Psoroptes ovis, which live and feed on the skin’s surface.

Preventing Cattle Scabies and Controlling Mites

Maintaining cattle in good condition throughout the winter and effectively controlling other diseases is the best way to prevent scabies. The most effective method to prevent scabies from entering a herd is isolation and quarantine. This is especially important for rarer and more severe species (such as psoroptic mange) which are difficult to treat and eradicate. Therefore, prevention should be a part of the herd health program. Additionally, for any skin signs or symptoms, it is best to quarantine the animal and promptly contact a veterinarian for consultation.
Furthermore, the introduction of healthy cattle into a contaminated environment or alongside cattle that have been in contact with infected cattle within the past three weeks should be prevented. This is because mites can survive in the environment for a long time. In general, the following can be mentioned for the prevention of scabies in cattle:

Maintaining cattle health: Proper nutrition and keeping cattle in good conditions, especially during winter, helps to strengthen the cattle’s immune system and increase its resistance to scabies.
Closed herd policy: Maintaining a closed herd policy, meaning no contact between cattle and other animals and limiting human access to the cattle’s enclosure, helps prevent the introduction of mites and scabies into the herd.
Quarantine and health checks of new animals: Before introducing any new animal to the herd, it should be fully quarantined and examined to ensure the absence of scabies and other diseases.
Prompt treatment of skin diseases: Any skin disease that causes irritation and scratching should be promptly examined and treated. These scratches can provide an entry point for mites into the cattle’s skin.
Actions in case of scabies diagnosis: If scabies is diagnosed in cattle, the necessary measures for treatment should be taken immediately. It should also be ensured that all mites have been removed from the herd. Consult a veterinarian if necessary.
Cooperation with neighbors and herders: Talking with neighbors and herders who share grazing with you about scabies and prevention methods is essential. If shared grazing is unavoidable, the necessary measures to control scabies should be taken in cooperation with other herders.
Correct use of acaricides: The use of acaricides should be done carefully and under the supervision of a veterinarian. Misuse of acaricides can lead to resistance of mites to these drugs.

Article: Winter Feeding for Cattle

Cattle Scabies| Mites in Cattle

Mites typically live and reproduce near the skin, feeding on skin secretions and waste. While mites generally don’t transfer from one animal species to another, there have been rare instances of such transmission. Therefore, it’s prudent to separate animals, especially in situations where both species are affected by scabies. Not all cases of mange are considered scabies.
In most livestock farming, “mange” typically refers to psoroptic mange or common scabies. This disease is caused by Psoroptes ovis, a parasite that spreads rapidly and easily among cattle of all ages, classes, and conditions. Although mange doesn’t easily transfer from one host species to another, this means that sarcoptic mange, or scabies, doesn’t transfer from cattle to humans.Mites are nearly circular, less than half a millimeter in diameter, and have very short legs. Overall, the types of mites in cattle are as follows:

Psoroptic mange or common scabies: This type of mange is caused by the Psoroptes ovis mite and is the most common type of mange in cattle.
Sarcoptic mange: This type of mange is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite and is rarely seen in cattle.
Chorioptic mange: This type of mange is caused by the Chorioptes bovis mite and is usually seen on the legs and tail of cattle.

Cattle are usually infected through direct contact. Mange can also be transmitted through contaminated bedding and other objects that have been in contact with infected animals. The entire life cycle of the mite is between 14 to 21 days. Female mites create tunnels by chewing through the host’s skin to lay eggs. A female mite lays three to four eggs per day, totaling 40 to 50 eggs in her lifetime. Eggs hatch in four to five days.

Follicular mites, Demodex bovis-cattle, and Psorergates bos-cattle itch mites are other mites that infect cattle but are not considered species of scabies or mange.

Symptoms of scabies in cattle include:

Severe itching, especially in the head, neck, tail, and legs
Skin irritation and redness
Hair loss
Skin lesions, such as scabs, wounds, and pimples
Weight loss
Reduced milk production

Psoroptic Mange in Cattle: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Psoroptic mange is a skin disease in cattle caused by the Psoroptes ovis mite. While it was previously thought that mites wouldn’t transfer from one animal to another, in Britain, psoroptic mange was transmitted from sheep to cattle. If psoroptic mange occurs in a herd, it can cause severe disease and widespread outbreaks. Psoroptic mange is commonly found on the back, shoulders, and tail. Psoroptes ovis mites can survive in the environment for a limited time, around 18 days.
To treat psoroptic mange in cattle, mite baths are used in two ways:

Vat dipping: The animal is completely immersed in a chemical solution.
Spray dipping: The animal is sprayed with a chemical solution.

Another method is the use of systemic insecticides in oral, topical, or injectable formulations. The spray method is more suitable for small herds due to being more time-consuming. The vat dipping system is also less commonly used in some countries, including the United States, due to its high cost and the difficulty of managing the appropriate concentration of treatment compounds and proper cleaning. When spraying, it is important to ensure that the animal’s body is completely wet. In spray or vat dipping, substances such as hot lime sulfur or permethrin labeled for cattle mange can be used.
For the treatment of beef cattle against psoroptic mange in the United States, macrocyclic lactones are preferred. Injectable doramectin, injectable ivermectin, and moxidectin (pour-on and injectable formulations) are labeled for P. ovis. Of these treatments, only moxidectin and hot lime sulfur are approved for the treatment of dairy cattle infected with psoroptic mange. Resistance to macrocyclic lactones has been identified in Europe.
Products labeled for sarcoptic mange in cattle are also suitable for psoroptic mange. Outside the United States, other treatments are available for controlling mange, including flumethrin (2 mg/kg, repeated 10 days later), 0.3% coumaphos, 0.1% phoxim, 0.075% diazinon, and 0.025% – 0.05% amitraz. However, there are currently no amitraz products labeled for use for cattle in the United States. Diazinon for use in cattle is only available in ear tag formulations in the United States. It is not labeled for the treatment or prevention of mange.

In general, the drugs used to treat psoroptic mange in cattle include:

Macrocyclic lactones:
- Injectable doramectin
- Injectable ivermectin
Moxidectin (pour-on and injectable formulations):
- Hot lime sulfur
- Flumethrin
- Coumaphos
- Phoxim
- Diazinon
- Amitraz

Important points to remember when treating psoroptic mange in cattle:

When spraying, the animal’s body should be completely wet.
Only moxidectin and hot lime sulfur are approved for the treatment of dairy cattle infected with psoroptic mange.
Resistance to macrocyclic lactones has been identified in Europe.
Outside the United States, other treatments are available for controlling mange.

Sarcoptic Mange in Cattle (Or Scabies Itch Mite): Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Sarcoptic mange is a skin disease in cattle caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. This disease can cause severe itching, hair loss, and skin lesions. This species includes several varieties that differ in morphology and their ability to infect hosts. Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies mite) is less common but seems to be increasing in Britain. Lesions from sarcoptic mange are usually found on the neck, head, and tail base.
Sarcoptes scabiei mites have a tendency to burrow into and live within the skin compared to Chorioptes and Psoroptes mites. These mites often prefer to live in one host species. The strain adapted to cattle is Sarcoptes scabiei. Symptoms of sarcoptic mange in cattle:

Severe itching, especially on the neck, head, and tail base
Localized or widespread hair loss
Bleeding
Exudate
Hard, thick crusts
Large skin folds
Weight loss
In severe cases, death

Severe itching causes cattle to rub against posts, trees, or other objects in an attempt to relieve themselves. This rubbing can lead to localized or widespread hair loss, along with bleeding and exudate. Exudate causes a hard, thick crust that forms large folds, especially on the inner thighs, under the neck, chest, and around the base of the tail. Cattle infested with sarcoptic mange do not gain weight as quickly as healthy cattle, and severe cases can be fatal. S. scabieibovis can be transmitted to humans and cause a transient and self-limiting dermatitis.

Treating Sarcoptic Mange in Cattle: Methods, Medications, and Key Considerations

Diagnosis of sarcoptic mange is typically carried out through deep skin scrapings, skin biopsies, or by observing the response to treatment. To treat sarcoptic mange mites in cattle, injectable formulations of doramectin, eprinomectin, and ivermectin are commonly used. Additionally, dipping in medicated baths or spraying with hot lime sulfur at appropriate concentrations, repeated at 12-day intervals for a maximum of three times, can be effective. Insecticides labeled for cattle sarcoptic mange, such as phosmet, can also be used.
Some formulations of permethrin sprays are labeled for use against sarcoptic mange mites. When using permethrin, animals should be thoroughly wetted with the product and retreated in 10-14 days. Formulations of eprinomectin, moxidectin, and hot lime sulfur are approved for use in dairy animals in the United States.
Important considerations for treating sarcoptic mange in cattle:

Thorough application: If using sprays, ensure that animals are completely wetted with the product.
Treatment intervals: Treatments should be repeated at 12-day intervals, up to a maximum of three times.
Formulation restrictions: Some formulations are approved only for non-lactating cattle.
Medicines used for treating sarcoptic mange in cattle:
- Injectable medications:
  - Doramectin
  - Eprinomectin
  - Ivermectin
- Dipping:
  - Medicated baths
  - Hot lime sulfur
  - sprays
- Insecticides:
  - Phosmet
  - Permethrin
  - sprays

Chorioptic Mange and Treatment of Chorioptes Mites in Livestock

Chorioptes bovis is one of the most common mites found in Iran and Britain. This mite causes chorioptic mange, which typically appears on the hind legs, udder, and base of the tail. Under suitable conditions, chorioptes mites can survive for up to 3 weeks and can also infect other domestic farm animals such as sheep, goats, and horses.

For the treatment of chorioptic mange, macrocyclic lactones (ML) (ivermectin, doramectin, eprinomectin, and moxidectin) are often used, administered via injection or subcutaneous injection. Topical application of ivermectin has also shown some success in treating chorioptic mange; however, there have been cases where this treatment has not been effective. The use of other drugs and acaricides for treating chorioptic mange in dairy cattle is limited due to the need to observe withholding periods.

Treatment for chorioptic mange in livestock:

Injectable medications:
- Macrocyclic lactones (ML)
- Ivermectin
- Doramectin
- Eprinomectin
- Moxidectin
Topical medications:
- Ivermectin (in some cases)
Acaricides:
- The use of acaricides in dairy cattle is limited.

Demodex Mites in Cattle and Cattle follicle mite

Demodex mites are present in the skin of most mammalian species, including humans. These tiny mites, less than half a millimeter in length, reside in hair follicles and associated sebaceous glands. They have a worm-like body with four pairs of short legs at the anterior end. The life cycle of these mites is typically one month, and they spend their entire lives within the host’s skin. Transmission occurs through direct contact between individuals.
Each host species harbors different species of Demodex mites. In cattle, the common species is Demodex bovis. These mites are typically found on the neck, shoulders, and flanks of the host. In most infestations, clinical signs are mild and often go unnoticed. However, with heavy infestations, small white nodules may form on the skin, ranging from microscopic to one centimeter in diameter. These nodules are actually inflamed hair follicles filled with mites and secondary bacterial infections.

Diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of mites in skin scrapings or removed nodules. Most infestations are mild and asymptomatic and are often left untreated. Stressful conditions, such as extreme weather or nutritional deficiencies, can predispose cattle to Demodex infestations.

Article: Heat stress in cows

These mites do not cause significant discomfort to the host and may live on the cow for several years. The mites may spread across the cow’s body, and heavy infestations of Demodex bovis can lead to significant skin damage. This condition is more common in young cattle and often occurs in late winter or early spring in dairy cows. In most cases, infestations are mild and asymptomatic, and recovery is usually spontaneous.

The main significance of these nodules lies in the damage they cause to cattle hides. In such cases, the cow’s hide becomes tanned, and sometimes even defects are observed in the leather. In the leather industry, even a moderate infestation can significantly reduce the quality and commercial value of the hide, resulting in economic losses.

Cattle Ear Mite (Raillietia auris)

The fungus, Raillietia auris, or ear and inner ear candidiasis, affects cattle. In mild cases, this condition may go unnoticed. In severe cases, symptoms of cattle ear mites include:

Localized swelling
Pus formation
Inflammation and ulceration

And may also include:

Head shaking
Ear rubbing
Incoordination
Facial paralysis
Hearing loss

Mites can be found in the ear canal and on the eardrum and can be seen with a close examination of the ear canal. They can be removed by swabbing or flushing the ear canal with warm water. Adult female mites are mobile, cream-colored, and approximately 1 millimeter long. The mite’s development from egg to adult takes 2-5 days, and an adult mite can live for about 30 days. All stages of development can be found in a single infestation. Candida fungus (thrush) is sometimes identified as a harmless species.
The presence of mites in the ear canal makes chemical control difficult, and empirical treatments have yielded inconsistent results. Subcutaneous injections are ineffective in controlling this type of mite. Only flumethrin, when injected directly into the ear canal with a syringe, is effective. However, a standard treatment has not yet been found.

Treating Parasites and Mange in Livestock: When, How, and Which Chemical Group

Ticks are effectively controlled through washing, dipping (tick baths), or topical applications. Treatment for mild chorioptic mange is usually unnecessary, although an ML-3 injection can be used to reduce the number of mites, similar to lice. In severe cases of chorioptic and sarcoptic mange, treatment with permethrin and ML-3 (including ivermectin, eprinomectin, moxidectin, and doramectin) can be effective. Sometimes, certain cases may be treated with ML-3 injections, but their effectiveness on mites is lower. It is essential to check the product information sheet for efficacy.

In summary, key points to remember when treating parasites and mange in livestock include:

Cattle ticks rarely cause symptoms that necessitate treatment.
Lice should first be removed through visual inspection.
Tick identification should be confirmed by a veterinarian.
- This is because the choice of treatment product depends on the type of tick.
- The tick species must first be identified.
Only treat affected animals, not the entire herd.
Read the product information sheet before using any medications.
Use medications only as prescribed by a veterinarian.

In summary, the appropriate time for treating parasites and mange is:

Ticks: Treatment is necessary if itching, hair loss, or skin lesions are observed.
Chorioptic mange: In mild cases, treatment is usually unnecessary.
Sarcoptic mange: In severe cases, treatment with permethrin and ML-3 (including ivermectin, eprinomectin, moxidectin, and doramectin) is necessary.

In summary, the treatment methods for mange and parasites are:

Tick baths and washing: Effective for controlling ticks.
Topical applications: Effective for controlling ticks and mild chorioptic mange.
ML-3 injections: Used to treat severe chorioptic and sarcoptic mange. Chemical groups used:
- Permethrin: Used to treat severe chorioptic and sarcoptic mange.
- ML-3: Includes ivermectin, eprinomectin, moxidectin, and doramectin. Used to treat severe chorioptic and sarcoptic mange.

References:

This article was prepared through the efforts of Homa BahramParvar and the content production team at Jahan Kaveh Ofogh Khazar, a producer of various livestock and poultry feeds. It is hoped that this article can be of some assistance, however small, to the livestock and poultry farming industry.