Ringworm is a very common and highly transmissible pare infection, passed between both cattle and humans.

It causes intense irritation and tin affect growth rates and damage hides, but steps can be taken to prevent it.

Vet Keith Cutler of Endell Veterinary Group, Salisbury, Wiltshire, answers some key questions on the infection, explaining what causes information technology, the symptoms and handling.

What is ringworm and what causes it?

Ringworm is a fungal peel affliction caused well-nigh commonly past the spore forming fungi trichophyton verrucosum.

What does information technology look like?

Cattle are the virtually commonly affected farm creature species. Affected animals normally take roughly circular areas of hair loss where the skin becomes slightly thickened, crusty and flaky and greyish in colour.

These areas are oftentimes seen on the face, around the eyes and over the shoulders, although all areas of the body, including the udder, can become affected and the areas afflicted can be all-encompassing.

Encounter also: Q&A: Everything y'all need to know about liver fluke in cattle

Can it bear upon livestock performance?

Generally, the effect on performance is minimal, although afflicted areas are itchy and while animals are rubbing they will non be eating, which will affect operation and crusade additional damage to their hides.

Rather than its effect on operation, the presence of widespread and extensive ringworm lesions among groups of cattle is oftentimes suggestive of an already devitalized state.

How should it be treated?

The in-feed treatments that were bachelor years agone no longer are. Topical fungicidal washes containing the agile ingredient enilconazole or similar are available.

These are constructive, just only where they are applied and treating the whole brute is rare, so the disease oft spreads to untreated areas of skin giving the appearance that the treatment may not be working.

The infection ofttimes resolves without treatment, due to the development of natural immunity and exposure to UV calorie-free from the sun after turnout, especially in less severe cases.

Does it take long to articulate upwards?

If not treated, lesions can persist for a considerable period of time. Even if the causative mucus is treated and killed it will take several weeks, or perhaps months, for pilus to regrow and the lesions to disappear.

Is information technology infectious?

Yes, ringworm is infectious. The causative fungus produces spores which can spread from fauna to animal where there is direct contact; this is why the part of the face around the eyes, which often rubs similar areas on other animals when eating from troughs, is commonly affected.

Spores tin also, withal, be spread by indirect contact via fence posts and building partitions. Isolating affected animals, therefore, oft fails to prevent spread of the disease.

Is it contagious to humans?

Yeah, ringworm is contagious to humans, often causing an itchy, roughly circular patch of dry out flaky peel with an expanding red margin in areas where habiliment may rub; under the cuffs or collar, for example.

Handling advice should exist sought from your GP or local pharmacist, but often an anti-fungal foam, Canesten, containing fluconazole, will exist recommended.

Is there a vaccination available against ringworm?

Yes, a vaccine, called Bovilis Ringvac, is available to protect cattle against ringworm and to hasten recovery.

Two doses of vaccine, with dose volume dependent on the age of the animals existence vaccinated, are required to be given by intramuscular injection with an interval of two weeks between them. Immunity is achieved by 3 weeks after the second dose.

Hygiene is also important to reduce the challenge from infectious spores deposited by previously infected animals.

Perhaps of greatest importance is to ensure the general wellbeing of your livestock and that they are well fed so their own innate immunity tin human action against whatsoever challenge.