In this blog, we will discuss preventing & treating ringworm in cattle. Ringworm is a dermatophytosis fungal infection that affects the most cattle homes across the globe . While the name implies, ringworm is not caused by worms or parasites but fungi ,particularly by Trichophyton. verrucosum This article cover in details on ringworm in cattle . Information on cause, manifestation and symptom, methods of treatment and prevention of ringworm is been provided to the farmers, helping them to manage and control the effects on their herds.
Understanding Ringworm in Cattle
What is Ringworm?
Generally, ringworm leads to the loss of condition in three to four million cows around the globe every year causing dermatophytosis – a fungal infection of skin and hair. The whitish, shiny, circular and hairless lesions usually appear on the head, neck and limbs. It is caused by fungi in the group dermatophytes, which grow and survive on keratin, a hard protein in the epidermis of the skin, the hair and the nails.
Causes of Ringworm
The fungus Trichophyton verrucosum (now accepted as the principal causal agent) and other dermatophyte fungi including the related Trichophyton mentagrophytes (visible lesions at least 5 mm in diameter) and Microsporum canis can cause ringworm, but are much less common than T verrucosum, and the source of infection is readily apparent since spores of the infecting fungi can persist in the environment for up to 10 years and are readily passed among animals by direct contact with infected or latently infected animals or from contaminated fomites such as grooming implements, fences and barn walls.
Symptoms of Ringworm
The symptoms of ringworm in cattle include:
- Circular, grey-white areas of hair loss with an ash-like surface
- Lesions that are slightly raised and can vary in size
- Scars around the eyes, ears and back of calves, and on the chest and legs of adult cattle.
- Thick, crusty scabs that may become confluent, forming larger patches
Affected areas might be ugly and itchy for the animal, but ringworm generally isn’t a severe disease.
Treatment of Ringworm in Cattle
Self-Limiting Nature
Ringworm will often resolve spontaneously, known as a self-limiting disease, and one not usually treated, but this will take several months, during which time the infection can spread to other animals and people. Thus, treatment is recommended to resolve the problem sooner and prevent further spread.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments are the easiest, most effective method of treating ringworm in cattle. It involves applying antifungals to lesions. These are some of the most effective topical treatments:
- Povidone Iodine: Apply 1-2 times daily until the ringworm shows signs of healing.
- Enilconazole: Emulsion to be painted on twice or three times a week. Doesn’t seem to penetrate too well if the infected areas are covered in encrustation.
- Chlorhexidine: A disinfectant and antiseptic that can be used to clean the lesions.
- Spray Lime Sulfur: This is a thick liquid that works as a rinse to treat the infection.
Before topical treatment is applied, any crusts and scales on the lesions need to be brushed or scraped off. 2. All crusts and scales should be collected and burned to prevent environmental contamination.
Oral Treatments
And though oral antifungal medications, such as griseofulvin, are useful against ringworm, they’re impractical for treatment due to the duration of the cure and the high cost. Griseofulvin is known to reduce the number of new lesions and shorten the duration of infection, but it’s mostly used in animals that are especially valuable.
Home Remedies
The following are some traditional home remedies to be used when treating ringworm in cattle:
While it is easy to treat ringworm infections, it is very difficult to prevent them.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apply full strength vinegar to the affected area up to three times a day.
- Coconut Oil: Apply coconut oil (liquid) to the lesions up to three times a day. It is antifungal and can be used as a ‘lot’-ion to prevent infections.
- Aloe Vera: The clear gel from inside the leaves of an aloe vera plant can be applied to the patch three or four times a day, both to kill the fungus and to soothe itchy, puffy skin.
Prevention of Ringworm in Cattle
It’s obviously more effective and cheaper to stop ringworm from becoming established in the herd than it is to treat it once it’s widespread. Here are the top ways to prevent ringworm from infecting cattle:
Environmental Management
- Disinfection: Clean and disinfect the barn, pens and all equipment or items that came into contact with the cattle with a strong detergent followed by a bleach solution (1:3 dilution) or other effective disinfectants such as Virkon S or accelerated hydrogen peroxide products.
- Increase sunlight exposure by keeping animals in dry lots or pens and reducing overcrowding. More sunlight means more antifungal properties, and less chance of contracting ringworm!
- Quarantine: Separate infected animals from non-infected animals to prevent new infections from spreading Use separate grooming tools, feed tubs, and other equipment for infected animals.
Vaccination
The prevention of ringworm is significantly eventual through vaccination. Among the most common vaccine applied for this disease is Bovilis Ringvac. Bovilis Ringvac provides a broad spectrum of cross-protection against all four clinical forms of ringworm. This vaccine allows for prophylaxis for one year once given and requires two doses. The interval between the two injections is two weeks. And immunity is acquired by the three week period after the second application.
Nutritional Support
Key in a cattle redworm recipe is providing good nutrition. Because without a healthy immune system, your steers are more at risk for getting ringworm. Be sure your cattle are receiving a balanced diet so they have enough vitamins and minerals such as selenium, vitamin E and vitamin A, which is considered an important component of ringworm resistance.
Ringworm and Human Health
Ringworm is a zoonotic disease, transferrable from animals to human, especially to farm workers, veterinarians, or they who might deal with the infected cows. Here are some advice for preventing infection.
- Wear Gloves: Always wear gloves when handling infected animals or cleaning contaminated equipment.
- Wash Hands: Wash all hands and arms thoroughly with soap and water after handling trapped and killed animals.
- Avoid Contact: Keep children and other vulnerable individuals away from infected animals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can ringworm in cattle spread to humans?
Yes its a zoonotic disease so we can get it as a human from a cattle and so on. we should be carefull wearing gloves and washig hyrds And we have to be careful wearing gloves washung h).rs.
How long does it take for ringworm to heal in cattle?
Ringworm without treatment may resolve in several months, but can be short-circuited with prompt treatment.
Is vaccination effective in preventing ringworm in cattle?
Yes vaccination with two doses of Bovilis Ringvac can confer protection from ringworm for up to one year.
Can ringworm in cattle be prevented?
Yes, in this way ringworm can be prevented: hygiene and nutrition have to be good, vaccination ought to be considered and equipment needs to be regularly cleaned and disinfected. It should be noted that herds whose inhabitants have been infected need to be isolated. Prevention is better, cheaper and less stressful than subsequent therapy of the infection.
Can home remedies effectively treat ringworm in cattle?
Home remedies such as apple cider vinegar, coconut oil and aloe vera can ease symptoms and generally promote healing, but probably won’t cure ringworm; see your vet for the correct treatment. Prevention is the better option: it’s easier and less expensive to prevent infection than treat it.
Conclusion
Ringworm in cattle is a common condition and usually easily treatable. Nevertheless, when dealing with livestock herds it’s important to get a handle on cause, symptom, solution. A farmer should know the options when it comes to healthcare. In this case, good hygiene, balanced nutrition and perhaps some preventative vaccinations can help to minimize the incidence of ringworm in a herd of beef cattle. Prevention is always better so always consult with a veterinarian as ringworm spreads among animals. Let us know what you think about this article.
