How to cure lichen in a cow

Ringworm is a common disease in cattle. The causative agent of the disease is a pathogenic fungus, sufficiently adapted to the environment. You should not ignore the disease, the fungus easily passes from the cow to the person.

What is ringworm

Two types of microscopic fungi cause lichen:

  • trichophyton;
  • microsporum.

Fungal spores survive well in the environment and can survive up to 8 years. Among cows, trichophytosis is most often found. The fungus develops in the epidermis of the cow, thereby blocking the hair follicles. The animal becomes irritable due to persistent itching.

Causes and ways of infection

If sanitary standards are not observed, the probability of infection with trichophytosis is more than 90%. The disease is very quickly transmitted from a sick animal to a healthy one.

Among the main causes of morbidity are the following:

  • poor disinfection of equipment;
  • dampness in the room;
  • lack of space;
  • lack of light;
  • lack of vitamins;
  • poor quality care.

Did you know? Young individuals up to 1 year old are most susceptible to the disease . With trichophytosis, calves gain weight poorly and have disorders in the central nervous system.

The disease spreads even during the incubation period, when there are no expressed manifestations of the disease on the cow's body.

Symptoms and locations

It is difficult not to notice the manifestations of lichen.

The picture of the disease is as follows:

  1. The skin at the site of introduction of the microorganism is very flaky.
  2. In place of future baldness, a gray coating appears.
  3. Wool falls out on the affected area. It looks like it was cut off under the root.
  4. Round or oval-shaped bald patches appear on the body of the cow.

Often the disease is localized on the back, neck and face of the animal. If immunity is weakened, patches spread throughout the body. Legs and udder practically do not affect lichen.

Diagnostics

To diagnose trichophytosis, the first step is an external examination of the cow. The characteristic clinical signs of ringworm are revealed.

Important! You should not rely only on external manifestations. Similar symptoms are observed in scabies and dermatitis.

If there are symptoms, scabs or hairs from the affected area are sent for mycological examination. In the laboratory, the genus of the fungus is determined in order to select the appropriate treatment.

How to treat lichen

Trichophytosis is treated in several ways. The treatment strategy depends on the form of manifestation and the degree of infection with the fungus. At the initial stage, you can do with antifungal ointments and keratolytic drugs. With large-scale lesions, vaccination of the animal is added to the treatment plan.

Room disinfection

Any treatment will be useless if you do not disinfect the feeding place and stall. As mentioned earlier, spores of fungi persist in the environment for many years. In order to prevent the growth of mushrooms, it is necessary to disinfect the equipment, feeders, floor and walls.

For processing it is used:

  • 5% formalin solution;
  • carbolic solution;
  • 20% bleach solution.

For the treatment of the premises, the disinfector consumption will be 1 liter per 1 square meter.

Cattle vaccine

Vaccination is an effective preventive measure, and also contributes to the speedy recovery of sick individuals.

In a modern economy, such drugs are used as:

  • SP-1;
  • TF-130;
  • LTF-130.

The vaccine contains a sterile culture of the fungus. Once in the animal’s body, the drug promotes the formation of immunity to lichen pathogens.

Inoculate calves up to six months old. Immune protection is formed in the first 2 weeks after administration of the vaccine and lasts for 7 years.

Important! The vaccine has absolutely no effect on the quality of milk.

Antifungal Ointments

Antifungal ointments kill pathogens at the site of infection.

The following remedies have proven themselves well:

  • Fungin in the form of a suspension or spray;
  • Yam Fungibak;
  • Imaverol in the form of a suspension;
  • Zoomikol in the form of a spray;
  • Unisan Forte.

During treatment, it is necessary to give the animal immunostimulants.

Keratoletics

In combination with antifungal ointments, keratoletic drugs are prescribed:

  • 10% iodine solution;
  • 10% solution of brilliant green.
  • salicylic acid;
  • Sulfuric ointment;
  • tar ointment.

They provide epidermal regeneration.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies for the treatment of affected areas:

  • a mixture of turpentine and tar (2: 1);
  • 20% solution of copper sulfate;
  • a mixture of sulfur, lime and copper sulfate (3: 2: 1).

Celandine and garlic juice are also used.

Cattle skin diseases also include abscesses, warts on the udder.

Vitamin Supplements

To increase immunity, a large amount of vitamins A, B, E and mineral elements are introduced into the diet of a cow. Intramuscular vitamins such as Gamovit and Ligfol can be prescribed.

Prevention

Preventive measures include:

  • compliance with sanitary standards;
  • regular inspection of cows;
  • disinfection of the room;
  • vaccination of animals.

The most dangerous thing in trichophytosis is the speed of spread, therefore, a sufficient amount of time should be devoted to the prevention of the disease. If, nevertheless, the disease manifests itself, it is by no means necessary to delay the treatment. Remember that the disease massively affects animals and can be transmitted to humans.

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