Lice or Something Else?

[cowtownjim]

A three year old cow suddenly has a near perfect circle of "baldness" around each eye. If it is from rubbing the hair off from lice, how did she get such a perfect circle? We used a generic Ivomec pour-on in October. Should I give her another dose? Thanks for y'all's help.

 

[faster horses]

It's most likely ringworm, which is a fungus. Are they in sunshine, usually that helps.
Most generally it runs its course, but takes awhile.

Ringworm in Cattle

www.thecattlesite.com

 

[bigbluegrass]

Agree that it is probably ringworm. It should run it's course and clear up without intervention. I have a bred heifer who looks as you describe. I usually see it as a sign of poor immune health in the animal. However, it could just be that a young animal has never been exposed to it yet. It is contagious, so don't be surprised if other cows get it.

 

[Named'em Tamed'em]

If it's ringworm you can get it from them!

 

[kenny thomas]

If it's ringworm you can get it from them!

Yep, but easily taken care of with a fungicide like Captan bean dust. Mix a small amount into a paste and rub it on the spot. Even if it is on you it's very safe to use.

 

[Named'em Tamed'em]

I used sulfate of lime I think, same as the heifer.

 

[TCRanch]

As Dun would have said, benign neglect. Agree, it sounds like ringworm. And there are a gazillion remedies for treating it. Treat it and it's gone in 5-6 weeks. Sunshine and time and it's gone in 6 weeks. I actually did a "test comparison" the only year I had an outbreak of ringworm. Spent quality time treating 2 and ignored the rest. All cleared about the same time and you couldn't tell the difference. No residual scars.

Lice patches aren't generally around the eyes but you'll see bald, pink/red/white patches around the rear, tailhead, sometimes on the neck and they may be flakey. Ringworm is more hard, grainy, almost a grey-white color and very common around the eyes & face.

Side note: ringworm is a fungus and warts are a virus but treatment is the same: sunshine & time.

 

[cowtownjim]

Yep, but easily taken care of with a fungicide like Captan bean dust. Mix a small amount into a paste and rub it on the spot. Even if it is on you it's very safe to use.

Thank you all for your advice and warning.