With winter ’s chill now fully unleashed in many parts of the United States , you might find livestock on small farm inside their shelter , huddled closely together for protection against the element . A nicely bedded pen for sure can be cosy on a cold , winter day — both for animals and ectozoon . wintertime is the most mutual prison term forlice infestationsin livestock , particularly kine .
All About Lice
Most of us have heard of sucking louse at some point — remember those compulsory brain check in elementary school ? If the word of honor itself is n’t enough to cause some unvoluntary itching , consider the genial figure of speech : a midget , wingless , six - legged dirt ball about the sizing of a sesame germ .
There are two general types of louse , and their names do n’t make them any more endearing : sucking and biting / chewing . These monikers refer to how the pests feed : sucking lice pierce the tegument of the animal and suck its origin , while seize with teeth / manducate lice have impressive oral cavity parts for munching on dead skin and whisker . For most of the cattle in the U.S. , there are four paramount coinage of the ectozoan : one biting / manduction and three sucking metal money . It is mutual to have assorted infestations with multiple specie .
Picky Eaters
Feeling a bit too itchy decently about now ? Take inwardness — insect are host - specific . This means that cattle lice typically only choose cattle , and horse lice are n’t interested in non - horse legion . So even if the beasts in your b do come down with an infestation , you are n’t at risk of a Colorado - infestation inside your home base . ( This isnotthe display case with some other ectoparasites , such asticksandmites . )
kine with lice are very itchy . They will scratch on almost anything , causing possible damage to fence , trees and sheds . They may have coating that appear worn with bald patches , especially on the shoulders , cervix and buns ; sometimes parts of the aspect will also be affected . animate being that are immuno - compromise , underweight or otherwise unhealthful — from respiratory disease or internal parasite , for example — typically have more spartan infestation as compared to salubrious animate being .
Severe lice infestations can kill an animal , but this is uncommon and typically a consequence of multiple health issue . More usually , plague are ananimal eudaemonia issuedue to the life-threatening botheration they cause . Infestations can also impact yield ; heavy infested animals do n’t attain as much weight , and harm to the hide may impact cut-rate sale economic value .
Winter Woes (and What to Do)
The dirt ball life history cycle is fairly short , about 20 to 30 days in length , and occurs straight off on the animal for its intact length . Although insect are present all twelvemonth long , numbers dramatically increase in the wintertime because the haircloth coating is long and lice are protected . to boot , lice are go around through creature - to - animal contact , so when animals load down together for heat , insect populations explode . As atmospheric condition change state warmer , temperateness , shorter - hair coats and fewer chance to hop from brute to animal answer in a decay of the biting louse universe .
Fortunately , if you note a problem in your cows , there are products on the securities industry fortreatment , including sprays , debris , injectables and pour - ons . Most are highly efficient against all vernacular types of insect in the U.S. Timing of treatment is important , as some ware require re - discussion for full effect . Always learn the product label , and ask your veterinarian for treatment advice that is specific to your farm and your animate being ’ needs . Likewise , if you purchase new beast in the winter , keep them in quarantine until you ’ve confirmed they are disease - destitute . If they are overrun , treat prior to turn them into your herd .
farm animal lice may be an fidgety issue to record about , but see how to combat infestations can preserve your animals a groovy deal of discomfort .
