MITES - WHAT ARE THEY?
Mites belong to the same class as spiders and ticks. Infestation by mites is called acariasis and mange is the term used to describe the clinical presentation of mite infestation in cattle.
There are two types of mites, burrowing and non-burrowing.
WHAT IMPACT DO THEY HAVE?
Burrowing mites feed on blood and lymph, whilst surface feeders live off dead skin cells and secretions and most spend their entire life on the host animal. Transmission primarily occurs by physical contact between infested and uninfested cattle. Cattle mange is most commonly seen in housed cattle during the winter months.
Non-burrowing mites, such as Chorioptes bovis, the most common species of mite to affect cattle, and Psoroptes ovis cause crusting, scaling and thickening of the skin. The severity of these lesions will vary depending on the intensity and duration of infection, and may be exacerabated by ill thrift and underlying disease. Chorioptic mange typically gives rise to lesions around the tail head, legs and lower body. Psoroptic mange, which is rare in the UK, but more common in Ireland, is associated with more severe lesions and itching over the back, shoulders and tail head.
The burrowing mite, Sarcoptes scabei causes sarcoptic mange. Diagnoses are rare in comparison to chorioptic mange. Low numbers of mites cause scaling with little hair loss on the neck, face and tail head areas, but in severe cases the skin becomes thickened and crusted and there is extensive hairloss. Affected cattle experience intense itching.
Persistent scratching, rubbing and licking is not only a potential welfare concern, but can also result in hide damage. Reduced productivity has been documented during mange outbreaks, with milk drop, reduced body condition, and poor growth observed.1,2
The irritation that results from external parasite infestation make cattle more difficult to handle.
