Cows, calves and veterinary

Ringworm

Ringworm
These shots were taken in October last year.


Ringworm is more usually seen in calves, as the fungal spores establish in calf sheds and the infection is easily passed between cattle and to their human handlers. These are two year old heifers, the fourth group of cattle I've seen leave that particular grazing block with a ringworm infection that becomes apparent in the autumn.
One of these heifers ended up suckling calves because she was lame, and through her last year's line of heifer calves were infected, but mildly - I saw a few crusts in the heads and necks of the suckled calves first, then some of the others. I haven't treated ringworm for years. Although unpleasantly itchy, the condition is self-limiting and will eventually clear up. Years ago we used coppertox spray on ringworm lesions, and when that was discontinued, iodine. Around the same time the vet gave us powder to mix in the feed for a calf that was three-quarters bald, which was very effective.
There are mixed reports about what, if anything, is effective at treating ringworm and how long immunity lasts. I got it when I started farming, didn't treat it (it cleared up in time) and have never had it again. The heifers pictured below are in the healing stages, and number 26 on the bottom has new dark hair coming in over the healed circles. It was several months before the damaged areas blended in with the rest of the coat.
These two were among the worst affected. The entire group had some lesions, beginning a couple of months before leaving the grazing block and gradually spreading until mid-winter.

posted by nellta holdings @ 2:33 AM