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CATTLE LICE

Bella Stewart

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SCIENTIFIC NAME for CATTLE LICE: Damalinia bovis formerly Bovicola bovis

SPECIES: 4 types of sucking lice, short-nosed cattle lice, long-nosed cattle lice, little blue lice, and cattle tail lice, 1 type of biting lice, biting lice

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ORIGIN/PROMINENCY

The 5 species listed previously are found on cattle in North America.

The lice are most prominent in the colder months.

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LIFE-CYCLE

Lice produce eggs called nits, nits turn to nymphs after about two weeks. These nymphs are what hatch out of the egg. They look similar to an adult, the only thing that a nymph does not resemble is its egg producing ability. The life-cycle from an egg, to a nymph, and to an adult is 3-4 weeks (during colder months). It can not survive off of its host for very long.

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SYMPTOMS

  • itchiness (rubbing,brushing up against things)
  • damaged, hairless in some areas, dry, scaly hair coat
  • lesions on withers, back, shoulders
  • if bunched, quarter-sized blue/black spots
  • weight loss, ill thrift, immune defense compromised
  • anemia, abortion, death in worse cases

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HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED?

Lice is transmitted by contact from one animal to another. “Up to one or two percent of the cattle in a herd can carry a high load of lice, even in the summer when high temperatures reduce the number of lice.” Carriers usually consists of cattle who are bulls or cows who are of poor body condition.

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CONTROL AND TREATMENT

  • less crowding
  • higher light intensity
  • good nourishment
  • protection from weather
  • maintain good cattle health through a high plane of nutrition, adequate body conditions, appropriate mineral supplementation and vaccination protocols”
  • most of the available insecticides are effective against nymphs and adults
  • examinations
  • pour-ons and sprays
  • injectable products
  • self-application devices
  • ear tags

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MEDICATIONS

  • Zeta-cypermethrin
  • Permethrin
  • Lambda-cyhalothrin
  • Pour on, dosage depends on weight, 110 lbs equals 5 mL
  • Pour on, spray, One quart of Permethrin 10% makes approximately 25 gallons of ready-to-use product
  • Pour on, get rid of within 2 weeks

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PICTURES

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WORKS CITED