A longitudinal study of a natural lice infestation in growing cattle over two winter periods

A group of 61 cattle which were naturally infested with lice was followed over two winter periods. Data were collected on the number of lice found at various body sites over this period. Summary statistics were produced and due to the repeated measured and hierarchical structure of the data, multi-level analysis was used to model the population dynamics of Bovicola bovis and assess the influence of the various hierarchical levels. A four level Poisson model was produced--level one, the individual number of lice at each parting; level two, the body site examined (shoulder, midline or rump); level three, the time of the inspection and level four, the animal. Seasonal fluctuation in lice numbers was modelled using a cosine function transformation of time. A seasonal pattern was seen in both year's with lice counts higher in the first than the second year. The midline area was the most sensitive to detection of B. bovis. Variance contributed by the individual animal was less than that contributed by the body site examined and the time of the inspection. The model suggested that lice numbers within the shoulder and rump sites were near random following a Poisson distribution, but aggregation of lice occurred at the midline site with the distribution between animals following a Negative Binomial Pattern. The midline site was the most sensitive site for detecting B. bovis. Infestation numbers were higher in the first winter when cattle were younger. In the second winter, there was no difference in lice numbers between cattle exposed to infection for the first or second time.     

Impact of the duration of control of cattle lice with eprinomectin on leather quality

The relationship between lice infestation in calves during their first winter and damage to the leather produced was investigated in a trial involving 500 calves, 100 of which were treated with a pour-on endectocide during the first winter. All the calves received routine lice treatment in the second winter and were reared to slaughter weight. The hides were removed at the abattoir, tanned, inspected for lice-related damage, and graded according to their suitability for the production of high quality leather. The untreated group developed natural infestations of the chewing louse (Bovicola bovis) during the first winter but none was observed in the second winter. Hides from cattle infested with lice in their first winter had higher levels of lice damage than hides from those treated with eprinomectin, at both the chrome-tanned and dried dyed-crust stages of leather production.     

Toxicity of Sevin (1-Naphthyl-n-Methyl-Carbamate) To Cattle Grubs, Lice, and Cattle

Sevin, a cholinergic insecticide, was used for the control of cattle lice Haemotopinus eurysternus and Bovicolar bovis and cattle grubs Hypoderma lineatum and H. bovis. Partial or complete spraying of the animal body with 0.5 per cent Sevin was equally effective for louse control and one application killed the lice and prevented reinfestation in `carrier' cows for 17-20 weeks.

The dermal or parenteral administration of Sevin to the host animal had no larvicidal effect on cattle grubs migrating in its body. Similarly, the sprays of Sevin had no lethal effect on grubs encysted in the back of cattle.

     

Efficacy of a 1% lambdacyhalothrin cattle Pour-on (Saber) against sucking and biting lice infesting beef cattle

Four studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of a 1% lambdacyhalothrin pour-on (Saber Pour-on, Schering-Plough Animal Health) for control of sucking lice (Linognathus vituli, Haematopinus eurysternus, Solenopotes capillatus) and biting lice (Damalinia bovis) on beef cattle. Seventy-four mixed-breed cattle naturally infested with one or more species of lice at locations in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and North Dakota were included in the study. Pretreatment lice samples were taken and identified by genus with the exception that sucking lice were not identified by genus at the North Dakota site. In January or February, half of the cattle at each location received a single application of 1% lambdacyhalothrin pour-on at 10 ml per head for cattle weighing less than 273 kg (600 lb) or 15 ml per head for cattle weighing 273 kg or more. The other cattle at each site served as untreated controls. Lice on designated body areas were counted 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after treatment, and the sum of all lice observed on each counting area was reported for each animal. The collective efficacy 6 weeks after treatment against three species of sucking lice (L. vituli, H. eurysternus, S. capillatus) was 88.4% at the Wisconsin site, 92.0% at the North Dakota site, and 100% at the Nebraska and Oklahoma sites. The 1% lambdacyhalothrin pour-on eliminated all biting lice within 2 weeks after treatment, and no biting lice were detected 8 weeks after treatment. A single treatment of 1% lambdacyhalothrin pour-on administered when lice populations were highest (January or February) provided effective season-long control of both biting and sucking lice on cattle.     

Prevalence of sucking and chewing lice on cattle entering feedlots in southern Alberta

Beef calves from 2 sources entering southern Alberta feedlots in the winters of 1997-98 and 1998-99, were surveyed for the presence of lice. A random sample of multiple source (MS), that is, auction market-derived, calves entering commercial feedlots and single source (SS) calves entering a backgrounding feedlot were examined for the presence of lice at entry to the feedlot. A standardized examination, which involved hair-part examination of 8 louse predilection sites, was conducted on each selected calf to determine prevalence and intensity of infestation. The long-nosed sucking louse, Linognathus vituli, was the most commonly encountered species. This species infested from 57.8% to 95.6% of the calves selected from both MS and SS calves during both winters. Louse index values, indicating intensity of infestation, for L. vituli ranged from 1 to 243 lice per animal. The chewing louse, Bovicola bovis, was present on MS and SS calves only in the winter of 1998-99. The louse index values for B. bovis ranged from 1 to 230 lice per animal. Mixed infestations of the L. vituli and B. bovis were common. The little blue cattle louse, Solenopotes capillatus, was present only on the SS calves in the winter of 1997-98. The short-nosed sucking louse, Haematopinus eurysternus, was present at very low intensities, 1-2 lice per animal, on 2.6% to 4.4% of the MS calves during both winters. Comparison of results from the current study with published literature suggests that efforts to determine the economic impact of louse infestations are confounded by the lack of a uniform method to assess louse population levels.     

Relationship between lice infestation and leather damage in cattle

The relationship between lice infestation and leather damage was investigated in a trial involving 61 cattle, half of which were treated with ectoparasiticides for lice control either in their first or second year. Hides from the lice-free and lousy calves were removed manually at an abattoir, tanned and inspected for lice-related damage, commercially referred to as light spot and/or fleck. In both the first- and second-year animals there was a significant difference between the hides of the lousy and lice-free animals, confirming that the chewing louse Bovicola bovis is a cause of winter light spot. There was also a difference between the two groups in the levels of scratch damage. After the infested animals had been treated with fenvalerate and eprinomectin to kill all the lice, the damage to the hides had not been fully reversed 13 weeks later.     

Evaluation of historical factors influencing the occurrence and distribution of Mycobacterium bovis infection among wildlife in Michigan

OBJECTIVES: To determine historical events leading to establishment of bovine tuberculosis in the white-tailed deer population in the northeastern corner of the lower peninsula (NELP) of Michigan and describe factors relevant to the present outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in Michigan. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cattle and white-tailed deer in Michigan from 1920 to 1990. PROCEDURES: A search of extant historical documents (eg, scientific journals, books, public reports, and correspondence and internal reports from governmental agencies) was conducted. Factors investigated included the number of cattle and prevalence of tuberculosis, deer population and density levels, and changes in regional environments affecting the population and management of cattle and wild deer. RESULTS: High deer numbers and severe winter feed shortages resulting from habitat destruction in the NELP in 1930 contributed to the transmission of tuberculosis from cattle to deer. Starvation increased the susceptibility of deer to infection and modified behavior such that exposure to infected cattle was increased. Relocation of deer resulted in spread of infection to other sites, including locations at which spatial clusters of tuberculosis presently exist. Ribotyping of Mycobacterium bovis from a human patient suggests that the strain of M. bovis presently infecting white-tailed deer in the region is the same strain that affected cattle farms at that time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Feeding deer to maintain numbers above the normal carrying capacity of the NELP led to deer depending on consumption of livestock feed for survival during winter and increased contact with domestic cattle. This practice should be avoided.     

Persistent activity of moxidectin pour-on and injectable against sucking and biting louse infestations of cattle

To evaluate the persistent activity of pour-on and injectable moxidectin against natural challenge by sucking (predominantly Linognathus vituli) and chewing (Bovicola bovis) cattle lice, 96 mixed-breed calves that had been treated to remove all lice were blocked by body weight and randomly allocated to three treatments: untreated control, moxidectin at 500 microg/kg by topical application and moxidectin at 200 microg/kg by subcutaneous injection. Twelve pens were blocked into groups of four and randomly allocated to four challenge times: 14, 21, 28 and 35 days post-treatment. Treatment groups were assigned to challenge pens randomly. Two donor calves, with demonstrated infestations of both sucking and chewing lice, were introduced into each pen containing eight principal calves at the start of each challenge time. Donors remained in the challenge pen for 7 days. Principal calves were examined for lice, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after donor removal using a standardized hair-parting technique. Moxidectin injectable prevented re-infestation with L. vituli for up to 42 days, but did not provide persistent activity against B. bovis longer than 35 days post-treatment. Moxidectin pour-on demonstrated persistent activity against both B. bovis and L. vituli for 42 days.     

新疆褐牛体尺性状指标与体重的主成分分析

选择30头18月龄左右新疆褐牛进行体尺、体重测定,选择累计贡献率达89.505%的7个主成分进行分析。结果表明,新疆褐牛体尺指标尻长、腰角宽、髋宽、坐骨宽及体重的变异较大,选育潜力大;体重与体斜长、胸围、腰角宽、髋宽等指标存在极显著相关（P＜0.01）,与管围呈显著相关（P＜0.05）;从主成分的特征根与累计贡献率来看,第1至第3主成分起主导作用的第1主成分主要反映体型外貌特征,第2主成分主要反映尻部特征,第3主成分主要反映后躯特征。     

THE EFFECT OF LICE INFESTATION ON THE GROWTH OF HEREFORD CALVES

SUMMARY Two experiments were carried out to examine the effects of cattle lice on the productivity of young calves. In both experiments the main species present was Linognathus vituli. In the first experiment, treatment of grazing heifers and their suckled calves did not improve the overall bodyweight gain of either the heifers or the calves. The calves experienced a rapid build-up in lice populations during autumn and early winter which was associated with mild transient pathogenic effects, but this was followed by an apparent ‘self-cure’ reaction and compensatory gain during late winter. In the second experiment young calves were placed in feedlots and fed high and low planes of nutrition. Treatment to remove lice did not result in any improvements in growth rate on either plane of nutrition; however it was clear that untreated, undernourished calves had heavier lice infestation.     

Control of the cattle louse Bovicola bovis with the fungal pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae

The effects of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) were evaluated against the common louse parasite of cattle, Bovicola bovis (Piaget) (Trichodectidae: Ischnocera). Two different concentrations and formulations of conidial suspensions were applied to contained populations of adult female lice. In vitro, lice immersed in suspensions of M. anisopliae formulated in 0.03% Tween 80 developed infections; at the highest concentration (1x10(8)conidia ml-1) a mean of 71% (+/-11.52%, 95% C.I.) of lice became infected. Lice exposed to the Tween 80 only in vitro, showed high levels of survival and zero infection. In vivo, fungal conidia were applied to louse populations contained in 7 cm diameter circular arenas glued to the backs of Holstein cattle, maintained in controlled climate conditions. Conidia were formulated in either Tween 80 or silicone oil. The treatment with M. anisopliae resulted in high levels of infection and there was no overall difference between the two formulations in the number of infections observed. At the highest concentration (1x10(8)conidia ml-1) a mean of 73% (+/-15.57%, 95% C.I.) lice became infected. It is concluded that the strategic seasonal use of a fungal pathogen on cattle, applied in early winter, may be of value in suppressing the winter increase in abundance, preventing the population increasing to clinically significant levels.     

Observations on Cysticercus bovis in slaughter cattle in the Matabeleland province of Zimbabwe

Cysticercus bovis was detected at meat inspection in 2.16 per cent of 102,087 carcases of cattle from Matabeleland Province, slaughtered in Bulawayo during a period of 11 months. Lightly infested (detained) carcases accounted for 95 per cent of those with cysticercosis. The head was the only site affected in 58.4 per cent of the detained carcases, the shoulder in 20.1 per cent and the heart in 7.9 per cent. In more heavily infested (condemned) carcases 81.1 per cent had at least three sites affected. The incidence of cysts was highest in older male animals but in younger animals it was highest in cows. In the detained carcases an average of 1.5 cysts were found, of which 76 per cent were live and 24 per cent dead. Condemned carcases had more than 58 cysts on average, of which 98 per cent were live and 2 per cent dead. Live cysts were more common in older cattle and dead cysts were more common in younger animals. The incidence of C bovis in carcases of cattle originating from communal areas was 3.2 per cent compared with 1.6 per cent in those originating from commercial farms.     

Comparative efficacy of several insecticides for control of cattle lice (Mallophaga: Trichodectidae and Anoplura: Haematopinidae)

Several insecticides were applied to cattle at various rates, mixtures, application methods and numbers of treatments and evaluated for control of cattle lice. The insecticides included permethrin at various rates as a pour-on with and without the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO), and also at various rates as a spray with and without PBO. Pirimiphos-methyl was evaluated as a pour-on at various rates and with one or two applications. Lambda cyhalothrin in microencapsulated formulation was compared to a non-microencapsulated formulation. Rabon(R) was applied as a pour-on at two rates and at one or two treatments for each rate. Dimilin(R) was applied as a pour-on at two rates and mixed with permethrin and applied at two rates. Five endectocides, Eprinex(R), Ivomec(R), Dectomax(R), Cydectin(R) and Phoenectin(R) were all applied at the same rate. The cattle utilized in this research were all infested with a mixture of lice species. The species included: Bovicola (Damalinia) bovis (L.), Haematopinus eurysternus (Nitzsch), Linognthus vituli (L.) and Solenoptes capillatus (Enderlein). Most of the cattle were infested with at least two species and some had three or all four species present. All of the treatments except permethrin 1.0%+5% PBO, at a rate of 3ml/45.4kgwt. provided acceptable lice control with one application. Data indicated that applying the insecticides in early January should provide enough control to render the need for a second treatment unnecessary.     

Efficacy of a pour-on formulation of doramectin against lice, mites, and grubs of cattle

OBJECTIVE: To determine effectiveness of a pour-on formulation of doramectin against Damalinia bovis, Haematopinus eurysternus, Linognathus vituli, Solenopotes capillatus, Chorioptes bovis, Sarcoptes scabiei, Hypoderma bovis, and Hypoderma lineatum. ANIMALS: Cattle of various ages with naturally acquired or artificial infestations with 1 or more species of lice, mites, or grubs. PROCEDURE: In 10 louse and 6 mite studies, cattle were treated with doramectin (500 microg/kg, topically) on day 0, and parasite counts were performed approximately weekly from days 0 to 35. In 6 grub studies, cattle expected to harbor Hypoderma spp were treated before emergence of warbles. After warbles began to emerge, they were counted every 2 weeks, and grubs were collected and identified by species. RESULTS: Burdens of D bovis, H eurystemus, L vituli, and S capillatus on doramectin-treated cattle were 0 by 28 days after treatment. Burdens of C bovis and S scabiei decreased to 0 in naturally infested cattle and approximately 0 in artificially infested cattle by day 14 to 15. In grub studies, 107 of 136 control cattle had warbles, whereas 2 of 136 doramectin-treated cattle had 1 warble each, which represented a cure rate of 98.5%. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: One topical application of doramectin was highly efficacious against common species of lice, mites, and grubs known to affect performance, health, and appearance of cattle.     

Therapeutic efficacy of zeta-cypermethrin pour-on for the treatment of biting and sucking lice in cattle under field conditions

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of zeta-cypermethrin pour-on to control cattle lice. DESIGN: Five field trials in south-eastern Australia. PROCEDURE: Zeta-cypermethrin pour-on, deltamethrin pour-on and pour-on vehicle were applied to groups of 10 cattle. Lice were counted before treatment and 14, 28, 42 and 56 days after treatment. RESULTS: Zeta-cypermethrin pour-on given at 2.5 mg/kg was equivalent to, or marginally more effective than a deltamethrin pour-on at 0.75 mg/kg. It eliminated B bovis and H eurysternus and gave good control of L vituli and S capillatus. Zeta-cypermethrin at 1 mg/kg gave good control of B bovis and H eurysternus but was not satisfactory against L vituli and S capillatus. CONCLUSION: Zeta-cypermethrin pour-on, given at 2.5 mg/kg, is an effective treatment for cattle lice control. Zeta-cypermethrin, and other synthetic pyrethroid pour-ons, are the treatment of choice to control B bovis.     

Therapeutic and persistent efficacy of spinosad applied as a pour-on or a topical spray against natural infestations of chewing and sucking lice on cattle

Studies were conducted in Wisconsin and Illinois, USA, to assess and compare the therapeutic and persistent efficacy of spinosad when applied as either a pour-on or topical spray and compared with cyfluthrin pour-on and coumaphos topical spray for controlling natural infestations of chewing (Bovicola bovis) and sucking (Linognathus vituli, Solenopotes capillatus and Haematopinus eurysternus) lice on cattle. Thirty-five animals at each trial site were blocked according to pre-treatment lice counts and randomly allocated to one of five treatment groups: single treatments of spinosad (25 g/L), diluted with water to 0.04% active ingredient and applied as a whole-body topical spray; spinosad (25 g/L) applied as a neat pour-on at 2 mg/kg body weight; Co-Ral Emulsifiable Livestock Insecticide (5.8% coumaphos), diluted to 0.03% active ingredient and applied as a whole-body topical spray; CyLence Pour-on Insecticide (1% cyfluthrin), applied as a neat pour-on at the manufacturer's recommended use rate for lice; and untreated control. Both spinosad treatments and cyfluthrin provided > or =96% control of B. bovis for up to 7 weeks, whereas the efficacy of coumaphos dropped to <90% after week 5 at one site. Spinosad spray had the best therapeutic and residual control of all treatments against L. vituli, > or =98% for at least 5 weeks at both sites, compared with 3 weeks for coumaphos at one site. Spinosad and coumaphos sprays provided 100% control of S. capillatus for at least 8 weeks compared with > or =97% control for spinosad and cyfluthrin pour-on treatments over the same interval. While H. eurysternus burden was low and limited to one study site, all four treatments provided 100% control for at least 6 weeks. These studies showed that topically applied spinosad provided a high degree of therapeutic and residual control against both sucking and chewing lice.     

塞北兔被毛品质研究初报

在冬、夏季对塞北兔3个品系不同体表部位的被毛进行活体采样,分别测定被毛密度、平均细度和粗毛率.结果表明,冬季较夏季被毛密度大,平均细度小,粗毛率低.同一季节内,被毛密度肩部与背部相当,而臀部最大(P＜0.05);平均细度肩部最大,背部次之,臀部最小,但差异不显著(P＞0.05);粗毛率肩部最高,臀部最低(P＜0.05).3个品系变化趋势一致,品系间差异不显著.     

Persistent efficacy of doramectin topical solution against induced infestations of Bovicola bovis and Solenopotes capillatus.

A study was conducted in two locations, Wyoming and Wisconsin, USA, to evaluate the persistent efficacy of doramectin topical solution at a dose rate of 500 microg/kg body weight against artificially induced infestations of Bovicola bovis and Solenopotes capillatus on cattle. At each location, lice-free beef calves were individually housed and randomly allocated to treatment. Both B. bovis and S. capillatus were transferred from untreated donor animals to doramectin-treated cattle at the end of 35, 63, 91 or 126 day post-treatment periods. Cattle treated with a saline pour-on served as the control. Based on the geometric means of lice counts 2 weeks following transfer, the persistent efficacy of a single treatment with doramectin topical solution against induced infestations of B. bovis was 100.0, 100.0, 99.5, and 100.0% at post-treatment days of 35, 63, 91, and 126, respectively. Persistent efficacy against induced infestations of S. capillatus, for the same intervals, were 100.0, 94.9, 86.3, and 74.9%.     

Isolation of Mycobacterium bovis from the respiratory tracts of skin test-negative cattle.

Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from the respiratory tracts of three cattle which registered negative to tuberculin testing; no tuberculous lesions were found and the culture of lymph nodes and other tissues proved negative. One animal was from a group of five calves which had been inoculated intranasally with M bovis, and the organism was recovered once only from nasal mucus sampled 100 days after inoculation. The second animal had had contact with experimentally infected cattle which were excreting M bovis and the third was from a commercial farm. The results of ELISAS for antimycobacterial antibodies and interferon-gamma, and of lymphocyte transformation assays are presented. The animals' immune responses provided evidence that each of them had been challenged.     

Eradication of lice in cattle.

The purpose of this field study was to develop and evaluate eradication as a strategy to control lice in cattle. Thirty-three herds of cattle were selected and observed during a period of two and a half years. Before eradication, biting lice (Damalinia bovis) were present in 94% of the herds and 27% of the animals. Sucking lice (Linognathus vituli) were present in 42% of the herds and 5% of the animals. These levels were very similar to those reported from other countries in Northern Europe. The eradication strategy was successful in 28 of 33 herds, but lice were still present in 5 herds 3 to 6 months after treatment. Biting lice were present in all these 5 herds, sucking lice were present in 3 herds. During the next 12 months, nine of the 28 herds were reinfected with lice. Six herds were reinfected with just biting lice, 2 herds with just sucking lice and one herd was reinfected with both. There was no significant difference between the 2 louse species regarding the risk of unsuccessful eradication or reinfection. The only significant risk factor for reinfection was either purchase of livestock or use of common pasture, combined with failure in pre-treatment of newly introduced animals.