Why are my cattle scratching?

The characteristic symptom of infection with lice or mites is scratching, hair loss and a roughening of the coat. It’s important to note that these parasites can be a sign of an underlying problem, an upset animal will spend less time grooming themselves. Their coat will subsequently become scruffy and parasites can proliferate.

Lice are very common on cattle and low to moderate rates of infection are normal and shouldn’t cause concern. However, they can multiply and spread rapidly in indoor situations as animals come into frequent physical contact with other, infected animals. Thick winter coats provide the perfect environment for lice development and reproduction. As this coat is shed in the spring, parasite numbers dwindle. Direct exposure to sunlight also reduces lice proliferation rates.

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The characteristic symptom of infection with lice or mites is scratching, hair loss and a roughening of the coat. It’s important to note that these parasites can be a sign of an underlying problem, an upset animal will spend less time grooming themselves. Their coat will subsequently become scruffy and parasites can proliferate.

Lice are very common on cattle and low to moderate rates of infection are normal and shouldn’t cause concern. However, they can multiply and spread rapidly in indoor situations as animals come into frequent physical contact with other, infected animals. Thick winter coats provide the perfect environment for lice development and reproduction. As this coat is shed in the spring, parasite numbers dwindle. Direct exposure to sunlight also reduces lice proliferation rates.