Producers Encouraged to Watch for Lice, Calf Scours

The signs of winter are here with cold temperatures and snow. And for many ranchers another sign of winter may be appearing in their herds: lice.

These telltale visual indicators include hair tufts in barbed-wire fences, facilities damaged by cattle rubbing and skin lesions and patches of hair missing on the cows. However, itching and hair loss can be the result of other causes, so producers who suspect lice at work in their herds should bring their cattle in for a closer inspection, according to a Pfizer news release.

Dr. Jon Seeger, senior technical services veterinarian for Pfizer Animal Health says there are two types of lice cattlemen need to be wary of: biting lice and sucking lice. "Biting lice live on the skin's surface, feeding on hair, skin debris, body fluid and occasionally blood; while sucking lice have mouths that pierce the skin and feed on blood and tissue fluids."

Seeger says by parting the haircoat and examining the hide under a strong light is the best way to recognize the type of lice. "Sucking lice are usually slow to move when exposed to the light, and with the aid of a magnifier, can be seen with their mouths embedded in the skin. Biting lice are constantly moving and will move quickly away from bright light."

If lice are diagnosed, Seeger recommends immediate treatment with a parasite control product. "The longer cattle are infested with lice and other external parasites, the less likely they are to reach their full performance potential," says Seeger. He adds that performance losses caused by lice and other external parasites come primarily in the form of reduced weight gain."

Calf scours are also common in the winter months. Sub-zero temperatures, high winds and heavy snowfalls put extra stress on cows and their newborn calves.

Calves are especially susceptible to viruses and bacteria that cause severe diarrhea and dehydration of calf scours. The result can be substantial death loss. Those calves that do survive are often chronically sick and poor performers. Because calves represent an investment in the future of the herd, ranchers need to take steps to protect their investment by helping prevent calf scours.

"One way to minimize the risk of calf scours is to vaccinate pregnant cows against calf scour organisms," says Seeger. Cows vaccinated with a vaccine that aids in the prevention of scours, will pass on neutralizing antibodies in colostrum that may be associated with protection of calves. "This passive immunity will help protect the calves during their first two to four weeks of life, when they are most susceptible to scours," Seeger added.

The annual revaccination of pregnant cows is essential to maintain a constant level of protection from disease thus, reducing the amount of virus and bacteria that are shed into the calf's environment, so calves aren't exposed to as many disease-causing organisms.

There are several management steps producers can follow to help minimize the risk of scours according to Seeger. Here are his recommendations:

-Keep cows healthy and nutritionally sound.

-Deworm cows to optimize health.

-Keep a clean area just for calving.

-Help with calving if needed.

-Practice good sanitation.

-Make sure calves get plenty of colostrum (1-2 quarts) and that they get it quickly (within four hours after birth, if possible).

-Move healthy pairs to clean, open pastures away from cows not yet calved.

-Keep good records.

-Seek veterinary assistance early in a scours outbreak.

-Obtain a lab diagnosis.