Heifer rubbing tailhead

[ksmit454]

I have a heifer who has been rubbing her tail head so bad that it's now scabbed and bleeding. Ideas? Worms?
Thanks!

 

[coachg]

Could be lice or some type of skin condition. I'd go with external and not worms .

 

[ksmit454]

Could be lice or some type of skin condition. I'd go with external and not worms .

I just treated her for lice. Here's a photo of the tail rubbing happening. Been spraying it with vetericyn too.

 

[coachg]

Back when we were showing cattle some, I used baby oil on dry areas like that . I'm sure it's some kind of skin condition

 

[coachg]

Someone on the forum will recommend something I'm sure .

 

[BrisketLover4ever]

I have a heifer who has been rubbing her tail head so bad that it's now scabbed and bleeding. Ideas? Worms?
Thanks!

Poor cow

It could be a number of things such as worms, allergies, infections, or a fly strike(wounds can attract flies and fly larvae can worsen the situation by feeding on the wound). If I were you some immediate attention you can give would to inspect the area closely for possible infections or parasites and then clean the scabbed area with an antiseptic and apply a wound cream to help it heal. If you do notice and infection or if she's in serious pain then you should probably contact your vet. Let me know how it goes! I hope this is helpful!

 

[Travlr]

I just treated her for lice. Here's a photo of the tail rubbing happening. Been spraying it with vetericyn too.

Lice are usually on the topline if I remember correctly. If you treat one cow without treating them all they will move from the treated one to the others. We would put a "rub" somewhere that the cows had to move through and use old motor oil on it occasionally.

 

[Lucky_P]

You're sure she's rubbing/scratching, and she's not just denuded from other cattle riding her while she was in heat, right?
If itchy rubbing, think Psoroptes ovis mange mites... in cattle, the lesions tend to appear first around the tailhead. Injectible or pour-on ivermectin/moxidectin, or a topical pyrethrin should take care of them.

 

[coachg]

If it was fly strike I think you would see maggots, or that's been my experience with a new born calf a couple years back.

 

[GoWyo]

Just pour on some cheap permethrin product right over the scabby area. I have one cow that gets that look around her trailhead every year and I usually have some Clean Up II to dose her with and clear it right up, but if I didn't have Clean Up II around would use a cheap fly dope.