Worms in calves and cows

If there is a decrease in milk yield in the herd, cows lose weight for no apparent reason, and deaths become more frequent, then the most likely cause is worms in cattle. The parasites in an animal’s body are varied, the disease often occurs without symptoms, so it is important to remember about prevention methods and know how to treat cows. Most often, calves are susceptible to helminthic infestation, the treatment of which is difficult.

Cattle parasites

Various types of worms cause helminthiases in cattle; they settle in the intestines, heart, kidneys, liver or lungs of the animal. Most often in cows and calves there are:

• gastrointestinal nematodes;
• respiratory roundworms;
• subcutaneous, cardiac and other nematodes;
• trematodes;
• cestodes.

All worms are similar in morphological characteristics, but outwardly different. The methods of destruction also differ.

There are several types of gastrointestinal worms in cattle.

Respiratory roundworms infect young cattle in regions with cold and humid climates where it often rains. These are medium-sized parasites, up to 8 cm long, white or gray in color. Most often, worms infect the respiratory tract and cause bouts of severe coughing. When the infection is advanced, pulmonary edema or pneumonia occurs.

Of the subcutaneous worms in Russia, the genus Parafilaria bovicola is most often found in cattle. These are white worms up to 6 cm long. They settle under the skin of calves in the back and abdomen.

Trematodes or flatworms are distributed throughout the world. These are oval-shaped parasites whose body does not exceed 30 mm in length. They have oral and ventral suckers. The color can range from white to dark red, depending on the species. Most often they parasitize in the stomach and small intestine.

Tapeworms or cestodes in the body of cattle are in the larval stage until they find themselves in a suitable environment. In some cases, they do not pose much of a threat to cows and calves. But there are exceptions, for example, the Moniezia worm. It grows in the body of cattle and reaches a final size of 10 m.

How does infection occur?

Cows are infected with worms through larvae that enter the body of cattle along with food or water. Even compliance with all sanitary standards does not guarantee that there are no parasites in the herd. Animals can become infected with worms while walking by eating grass, beetles and other food.

Nematode infections occur mainly on pasture, when young cattle are walked together with adult cows. Worm larvae enter the animal’s bloodstream, from where they reach all organs of the calf. The parasite lives in the body for more than 3 weeks, gradually maturing and laying new larvae. When worms ready for invasion enter the external environment, they remain viable at temperatures up to 27°C. At higher rates, their development is slowed down, but does not stop. If a cow becomes infected with worms in the fall, then the larvae remain in her body until spring.

Tapeworms most often affect young animals. Cattle enter the body together with pasture ticks, which swallow up to 200 worm larvae. After 15-20 days, the worm becomes sexually mature and ready to reproduce.

Symptoms of helminths in cattle

If worms have settled in the liver or other organs of a cow, then only a veterinarian can determine the degree of invasion. The owner should pay attention to the external signs and symptoms of damage:

• depressed animal;
• the fur is tousled;
• no or weak appetite;
• young cattle are lagging behind in development;
• there is diarrhea;
• anemia occurs;
• if the respiratory tract is affected, coughing and wheezing occur;
• purulent discharge appears from the nose;
• young cattle lose weight and become exhausted.

If treatment for worms is not started in time, the death of calves and cows occurs as a result of intestinal blockage, suffocation by helminth balls or exhaustion. Recovery is possible, but such an animal is not suitable for breeding.

In some cases, there are no obvious signs of helminths. However, the quantity and quality of milk decreases. A pregnant cow has a miscarriage or postpartum pregnancy.

Cattle deworming

Infection with helminths occurs quickly. One sick animal affects the entire herd, so the fight against worms begins immediately.

Medical

To rid cattle calves of worms with medication, you need to inject the medicine into the throat of the sick animal. The process of destroying helminths begins in the stomach, where the anthelmintic agent enters.

Before processing the animal, you need to correctly calculate the weight so as not to cause poisoning and overdose. The cow's head is held at an angle, forcing her to drink the mixture.

All medications for deworming in cattle have severe side effects, so you cannot decide on treatment on your own. First you need to accurately diagnose and consult a veterinarian.

Preventative

For prevention purposes, deworming is done 2 times a year. Typically in spring and autumn.Medicines need to be distributed to all animals, since time passes from the lesion to the first symptoms.

Preparations for cattle against parasites

There are a lot of drugs for treating cows against worms. These are tablets, powders, injections. They are selected depending on the type of parasite.

The most common drug for various nematodes is Tetramizole. Granules of this product are mixed with drinking water and forcefully poured into the mouth of cattle. The drug is distributed in the fall, when the animal is no longer on the run. 45 g are calculated for one adult, while a calf is given 15 g for every 10 kg of weight. Under the influence of Tetramizole, diarrhea stops already on the second day.

Preparations for flatworms are very toxic to humans, and therefore require a long exposure to milk and meat. Most often used to treat cattle:

• "Hexichol";
• "Hexachloroethane";
• "Acemidophen";
• "We'll close the door."

Medicines are administered orally or parenterally. For parasites in the liver, intramuscular drugs are used. Injections are given to cows based on Clozantin.

To treat tapeworms in cattle and nematodes, veterinarians recommend using complex products:

1. "Panacur". A suspension is prepared from the powder, which is administered orally into the stomach of cattle. The dose is calculated at 3.3 g for every 100 kg of weight. After treatment, do not consume milk for 3 days, and meat for about 10 days.
2. "Albendazole". The drug in the form of an emulsion is distributed to cows at the rate of 30 ml for every 100 kg of weight. The medicine is contraindicated for pregnant animals in the first trimester. The suspension is not used during periods of exacerbation of infectious diseases in cattle.Before consuming milk, you need to wait 4 days; for meat, the ban is up to 20-25 days.

Deworming of cattle with powders or other oral agents is repeated after 14 days. If injections were used, then the powders are reintroduced. Worms in cattle are completely eliminated from the body after 40-45 days, after which the tests must be repeated.

When choosing a drug for worms in cattle, you need to consider whether it can be given to pregnant cows, in what dose, and in what trimester. Special attention must be paid to treating a dairy cow. If it is not possible to get tested for helminths, then you need to choose broad-spectrum medications.

Deworming cattle alone is not enough, because deworming drugs only remove parasites, but the consequences of their activity must be treated differently. It is imperative to inject the cow with vitamins and immunostimulating drugs to support the animal’s liver, kidneys and lungs. After which it is advisable to give medications that are aimed at removing toxins from the body, since general intoxication of cattle is observed. The most popular medications are:

• "Oligovit";
• "Katozal";
• "Trivit";
• "Introvit".

In some cases, probiotics and prebiotics are added, which restore the intestinal and rumen microflora.

Prevention

To protect young cattle from parasites, feeding and watering are organized in special places equipped with everything necessary. The access to water must be dry. If this is not possible, then year-round housing is practiced.

For prevention purposes, the pasture is replaced with clean one. Cultivate greens and destroy pests. After the parasites die in the grass, the cattle are returned to the old pasture.

In order for the animal’s body to independently fight the larvae of worms, it is necessary to keep young cattle in clean rooms and feed the herd with balanced feed. That is why, in order to prevent worms in cattle, pumpkin, birch tar, wormwood herb, flax seeds or oil, and specialized fertilizers with an anthelmintic composition are introduced into the diet.

Conclusion

Worms in cattle are a serious and dangerous disease that should not be ignored, otherwise you may lose most of the herd. To protect young and adult cows, prophylaxis is carried out twice a year. But medications are not prescribed independently, as they have strong side effects. Only a veterinarian can prescribe medications after a detailed examination and analysis of cattle.

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