Scratching The Surface: What Is Making My Cattle Itchy?

Sep 13, 2024

Background: Producers and veterinarians have reported situations where cattle have lost hair and showed signs of being “itchy” even after being treated with a pour-on product (e.g., Ivomec, Dectomax, Cydectin, etc.). The assumption made is that lice are developing resistance to these products. However, some veterinarians who have investigated these cases report that they haven’t found lice in all of these cases. Besides biting and sucking lice, other potential causes of itching include other parasites (e.g., microscopic mites), environmental factors (e.g., barley hull allergy, frost bite, straw mites), nutrition (e.g., vitamin A or zinc deficiencies), and mycotoxins (e.g., ergot, citrinin, T2 toxins).

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to:

1. To provide insight into the cause and potential prevention/treatment of itching beef cattle in Western Canada

Implications of the Research: This project will determine what factors are most likely contributing to itchy cattle in the absence of obvious parasite involvement.

This project is also funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council, Alberta Veterinary Laboratories, and BVR Pharmacy.

Video: Inside the National Swine Health Strategy - Dr. Dustin Oedekoven

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, explains the producer-led National Swine Health Strategy and why it is essential for improving U.S. swine health. He discussed industry collaboration, the strategy's initial priorities, why PEDV is the first focus for elimination, research initiatives, and the long-term vision for healthier herds. Listen now on all major platforms.

"The National Swine Health Strategy creates a coordinated approach that moves the entire industry toward common health goals."

Meet the guest: Dr. Dustin Oedekoven / dusty-oedekoven-bb0bb7110 is Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, where he leads initiatives to strengthen U.S. swine health through disease prevention, producer collaboration, and the National Swine Health Strategy. With more than 20 years of experience in veterinary public health and regulatory animal health, his work focuses on protecting the U.S. herd from endemic and foreign animal diseases. Listen to Dr. Dustin Oedekoven on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.