MANGE IN CATTLE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 47, 19 November 1917, Page 8

MANGE IN CATTLE

A recent leaflet issued by the British j Board of Agriculture dealing with mango i in cattle is summarised in the "Live Stock Journal." Three forms of mange occur in cattle, viz., sarcoptic, psoroptic, and symbiotic. These forms are named after the species of parasite which is the cause of the ailment. Sarcoptio mange in cattle is uncommon. The most prevalent forms Are the psoroptic and symbiotic, and these frequently exist together in the same animal. Cows aro most often attacked. The most common sites of mange are the root of the tail and the neck, especially the former. If treatment is neglected the psoroptic form may spread all over the body, but usually it does not. The biting of the parasites gives rise to nn itchy condition of the skin, irhich causes the animal to rub itself against fixed objects, with the result that the hair over the affected part gets rubbed ofF. On examining the skin a consider, able, amount of-scurf may be seen. Red and yellow blood scabs appear on tho surface, and thero may even be abrasions if the animal has been rubbing against rough objects. If tho psoroptic form should spread over the body, the patient may waste away and become greatly re> duced in condition. 'In cases of this kind, however, it will often bo found that the wasting is duo to some serious internal trouble such as tuberculosis, which reduces the animal's natural power of resistance to the less serious disease. It. has not infrequently been observed that cows appear to become cured spontaneously wnen turned out to grass in. tho spring. This usually means, however, that under open-air conditions the parasites do not increase at the same rate, and hence the active symptoms aro merely less marked. When tho animals are again stabled in the autumn tho acari (parasites) which havo persisted resume their activity, and this sometimes leads to an erroneous belief that reinfection has taken place. Tho affected patches on the animal's skin should bo softened by washing with soap and warm water. After this has been done the parts should be dressed with a mange dressing, sudi as. spirit ot tar, linseed oil, and sulphur. Tho dressing should be applied twice or even three times at intervals of ten days. In serious and rebellious cases veterinary advice should bo 6ought. The litter from an infected animal should be removed and burnt each time after dressing, and the flooring and wood or other fittings should be well sprayed with a 5 per cent, solution of clu'bolic acid in water.