cattle itching

[cattlefix]

I have had this problem for years. Cattle back up to fences to itch their rear end. Treat for lice multiple times, even if I can't find any on them, no help. Feed salesman says to add zinc oxide. Helped the first few years. Not anymore. Now told to add Mag Oxide. Doesn't help. Tired of watching cattle pushing fences over. Vets around hear just shrug their shoulders. Any ideas. :help:

 

[Bez+]

I have had this problem for years. Cattle back up to fences to itch their rear end. Treat for lice multiple times, even if I can't find any on them, no help. Feed salesman says to add zinc oxide. Helped the first few years. Not anymore. Now told to add Mag Oxide. Doesn't help. Tired of watching cattle pushing fences over. Vets around hear just shrug their shoulders. Any ideas. :help:

This is the internet - I probably live more than 2,000 miles from you and I bet the folks in South Africa are more than 6000 miles from you. Australia is almost exactly half the world away.

A bunch of us can start guessing - after all there are only about one thousand potentials.

If it has been a problem for years and you have not had the veterinarian from the local college or university help you out - why worry now?

You can't be looking too hard for a decent veterinarian because I know there are some real good ones out there - in fact more good than bad - maybe you do not have a decent long distance telephone plan? START CALLING AROUND MY FRIEND.

Try making a call that excedes the borders of your county and if necessary, your state.

You will get the reward from any effort you put into it - or, you can keep fixing fences and .... because they have this problem - you can keep losing money.

Why?

Guarantee that health problem affects their weight gain ability. Maybe even affects reproduction.

Send pics, ask the veterinarian to send samples to the lab - skin, hair, blood, feces and the whole smorgasborg - once you have an answer from the lab - let us know - I am curious as well. But in the end there is nothing any of us folks can do except guess!

What in the name of heavens could have been wrong with my cattle for the past XX years?

Hmmm .... Owner problems perhaps? After all you asked.

For sure that feed guy is a pro - he studied in veterianrian college for years to move that grain and those supplements.

Best thing you can do it you want to raise healthy animals - believe in and practise herd health.

That means spending money on a veterinarian. At a minimum of annually.

No more excuses about lousy veterinarians - they exist that is true - but so do owners who are too lazy to get it done.

Pick up the telephine and call your local ag university - now! They will help - you might have to haul or spend some money - just depends on how serious you are about solving this issue. Cows can't do it - only you can.

Now that I am finished ragging on your @ss, welcome aboard - lots of good folks here - I am often (but not always) considered one of them - and you may come to see that some day!

Pick up that telephone and start calling. In the end (pardon my pun) you will be the winner.

Have a good one

Bez+

 

[1982vett]

I doubt that it is only their rear that they scratch and parasites are not the only reason they scratch. If you rule out parasites, is it possible that your fences are the only thing available for them to rub against? If so set a crosstie or two about 3 ft in the ground to give them something besides your fence to do their rubbing. This type setup is also a good place to use dust bags and oiling ropes.

 

[oscar p]

Easy Bez! Remember to breeeth,,,,, Breeeeth,,,,,, :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[cattlefix]

Mange, ring worm, worms, etc. Do you worm your cattle? If so what product do you use?

I treated the cattle with SafeGuard wormer in March. Stool sample came back negative afterwords. The itching started in March. Purchased cattle in Nov. They were poured with a pour-on after purchase. Last year I treated the cattle twice with Cydectin when the itching started, even when no parasites were found by a vet. Didn't know if it could be some form of dry skin that makes them itch.

 

[cattlefix]

Mange, ring worm, worms, etc. Do you worm your cattle? If so what product do you use?

I treated the cattle with SafeGuard wormer in March. Stool sample came back negative afterwords. The itching started in March. Purchased cattle in Nov. They were poured with a pour-on after purchase. Last year I treated the cattle twice with Cydectin when the itching started, even when no parasites were found by a vet. Didn't know if it could be some form of dry skin that makes them itch.

Are they loosing hair back there in circular patches? I think it might be ring worm. Cydectin and the like wont kill it. You can spray iodine, athletes foot spray or cream or powder on it, you can also use the vaginal creams. I use iodine myself and spray it real good every day.

They are not loosing any hair. I think we can rule that out. Maybe I just need to get a more powerful magnifying glass! I have treated with insecticide, have a backrubber for them, etc. I guess I will just keep scratching my head. Thanks.

 

[coolpop]

Yea know, sometimes cattle just like to scratch. All my cattle get a good butt scratch with a course brush several times a week. It just feels good to them. and...Bez, sometimes you come off as just being plain ole' grouchy!