ectoparasites

What are ectoparasites?

Ectoparasites are parasites that live on the outside of a host, such as lice, mites, and ticks.

What are the two main types of lice based on feeding behavior?

Biting/chewing lice and sucking lice.

What is the impact of a high burden of sucking lice on cattle?

It can lead to anemia, decreased body condition score (BCS), decreased daily liveweight gain (DLWG), and damaged skin or fleeces.

Describe the lifecycle of lice.

Lice have a simple and direct lifecycle, existing all on the host.

How can lice be diagnosed?

Lice can often be seen with the naked eye.

What treatment can be used for lice in cattle?

Pour-on synthetic pyrethroid like deltamethrin, pour-on ML like ivermectin, or injectable ML with ivermectin.

What are some diseases that flies act as vectors for?

Pinkeye, Onchocerca, and Bovine papilloma virus.

What is the lifecycle of warble flies?

Warble flies lay eggs on hair in summer; larvae hatch and migrate to the oesophagus/spine, then under the skin in spring, maturing for 30 days before dropping off.

What is gadding behavior in cattle caused by flies?

Gadding behavior refers to cattle becoming restless and depressed due to harassment from flies, which can cause physical injuries and decreased growth.

What is the treatment for warble fly infestation?

Injectable ML such as ivermectin.

Which species of mites is associated with ectoparasitic infections in cattle?

Chorioptes spp.

What clinical signs are associated with chorioptic mange?

Tail, leg, and scrotal mange.

How is chorioptic mange diagnosed?

Through a deep skin scrape at the edge of lesions.

What treatments are available for mites?

Synthetic pyrethroid like permethrin or pour-on ML like ivermectin.

What is the most common tick species mentioned?

Ixodes ricinus.

What diseases can ticks act as vectors for?

Babesia, Q-fever, Lyme disease, and tick-borne encephalitis.

What are the impacts of tick bites?

They can cause small inflammatory lesions, secondary bacterial infections, poor BCS, weight loss, and reduction in milk yield.

What are some control methods for ticks?

Pour on pyrethroids or MLs for host control and avoidance of tick-borne pastures during spring for environmental control.

What are the clinical signs of Babesia infection?

Pyrexia, severe haemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, and potentially death.

Which animals are usually resistant to Babesia and develop immunity?

Calves.

What is a common observation when a naïve animal is introduced into an endemic disease area of Babesia?

They are at risk of developing the disease due to lack of immunity.

What impact do flies have on cattle's daily liveweight gain (DLWG)?

Flies cause irritation that can lead to decreased DLWG.

What is the primary method of diagnosing an ectoparasitic infestation like lice?

Visual inspection to see the lice with the naked eye.

How often should treatment for lice be repeated?

Initially treat, then re-treat in 2 weeks to kill any nymphs.

What are the common signs of an ectoparasite burden?

Itching, rubbing, and licking by the affected animals.

What happens to cattle's reproductive behaviors when warbles are present under their skin?

Cattle may avoid mating when affected by larvae under the skin.

How does the life cycle of warble flies affect treatment timings?

Treatment should be aligned with lifecycle phases, especially targeting larvae that migrate in spring.

What underlying conditions should be considered when diagnosing lice infestations?

Animals usually have underlying diseases that can complicate the lice issue.

What effect do ticks have on the quality of hides and fleeces?

Ticks can cause damage leading to reduced quality of hides/fleeces.

What are secondary effects of tick bites on cattle health?

Intense irritation and the potential for bacterial infections.

What is the significance of the 3 host lifecycle in Ixodes ricinus?

It indicates that ticks attach to three different hosts during their lifecycle, which affects their population dynamics and vector capabilities.

What is the role of environmental control in tick management?

Improving pastures to decrease tick populations through methods like drainage.

What can excessive pressure from ectoparasites lead to?

Excessive pressure can lead to severe health complications, decreased productivity, and even death.

What should be monitored in cattle with high ectoparasite burdens?

Monitor for signs of anemia, decreased growth, and skin damage.

How can farmers mitigate the impact of ectoparasites on livestock?

By implementing regular treatment, monitoring for signs of infestation, and managing the environment.

What additional treatments are available beyond pour-on and injectable for ectoparasites?

Alternative treatments might involve using feed additives or strategic pasture management.

How do ectoparasites impact the overall health of livestock?

They can lead to stress, decreased productivity, and compromised immunity.

What preventive measures can be taken against flies acting as disease vectors?

Proper sanitation, controlling fly populations, and monitoring for signs of associated diseases.

In what way can environmental management help with tick control?

By improving pasture conditions to reduce the tick's habitat and breeding grounds.

What disease's clinical signs include death as a potential outcome?

Babesia.

What are common diagnostic practices for infections caused by ectoparasites?

Including skin examinations, scraping, and history-taking to identify the presence of parasites.

What is the scientific name for the warble fly affecting cattle?

Hypoderma bovis.

What is a key characteristic of the common cattle tick?

It attaches to the skin of cattle to feed on blood and can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease.

What is the scientific name for the blowfly commonly found on cattle?

Lucilia sericata.

What detrimental effect do lice have on cattle?

They cause irritation and can lead to reduced weight gain and milk production.

Scientific name for the horse fly that can also affect cattle?

Tabanus spp.

What is the main role of the horn fly in cattle management?

It is a significant pest, causing discomfort and stress in cattle, negatively impacting growth and milk production.

What is the scientific name for the biting louse on cattle?

Bovicola bovis.

How does the screwworm fly affect cattle?

It lays eggs in wounds, leading to serious infections and tissue damage.

What is a common method of controlling ectoparasites in cattle?

Topical insecticides or pour-on treatments.

What is the scientific name for the cattle tick known to transmit fever?

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.