Bald patch query.

richmonds dun dexters · Sat Jan 27, 2007 6:16 pm

We have noticed that a couple of our cattle have got bald patches around their chest and neck, no cuts or scabs that can be seen just the hair missing. If anyone can offer some advice as to what may be causing this it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:07 pm

Are they in for the winter? It could be they are just rubbing the hair off if pushing their heads through bars to feed, a number of mine do that. They grow it back when they get out in the fresh Spring air. It is nothing to worry about. Ringworm also causes hair loss and is a bit more of a nuisance but not disastrous, it too goes by itself if you are patient.

richmonds dun dexters · Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:19 pm

they are out in the field there is a shelter, we are feeding in a ring feeder so maybe it could be that theyre rubbing on that, the patches are only on there necks :p

Louisa Gidney · Post by **Louisa Gidney** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 5:00 pm

They might have some sort of mites/lice. My cattle are housed & a couple of my girls have bald spots on their necks. It happens about this time every year. A treatment of Spot-On clears this up vey quickly

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 5:46 pm

I was thinking of lice as well. Some of mine have lice every year indoors, and they tend to rub around the neck, shoulders, and also the tail / back end to a lesser degree. I've just put spot-on on mine a week ago.

Clive

richmonds dun dexters · Sun Jan 28, 2007 7:58 pm

thanks 4 your help we will try that do you buy the product from the vets or from a feed/country store. :D

Louisa Gidney · Post by **Louisa Gidney** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 10:22 am

I get mine from the local farm store specialising in non-vet prescribed pharmaceuticals.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:23 pm

The best price I've ever got for spot-on, and other things, is from Farmrite, on the web (their Irish). But I don't order on-line, I always phone them because you get better service and they know what they're talking about. And last time I got a free gun as well, when buying a 1 litre bottle (which isn't shown on the web).

Clive

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:33 pm

The best price I've ever got for spot-on, and other things, is from Farmrite, on the web (their Irish). But I don't order on-line, I always phone them because you get better service and they know what they're talking about. And last time I got a free gun as well, when buying a 1 litre bottle (which isn't shown on the web).

Clive

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:55 pm

Sylvia may well be right, there may not be any parasites involved in this at all. If lice are present you should see them if you part the hair along the back of shoulder or neck and look closely, use a magnifier if you need to. Mites which cause mange really need a skin scraping to be taken, needs to be deep enough, and examined under microscope to be certain. But quite a few of this sort of case has no mites visible, and treatment is not necessary. I always find it satisfying to say to a client "No treatment necessary" when they are looking for a big discount on expensive stuff that just is not needed.

Never assume your vet will be expensive, some practices will offer very competitive prices on Wormers etc., especially if you have more than one or two to treat. It is always difficult to get a good price for small packs, but some vets will dispense small amounts for small herds. Last autumn we were supplying ivermectin pour-on at £55 for 2.5 litres which goes a long way.

Duncan

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 7:09 pm

Wow Duncan, that's a bargain! I never even considered getting wormer, spot on etc from my vet. I hope he has similar rates to you!

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:12 am

Duncan, maybe you should post a list of prices and carriage charges for some of the regular used items that you are allowed to sell in that way. If you believe this is not the correct place then you should direct us all to your webb site!
Martin.

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:15 am

Hello Martin,

sorry to say we are not sophisticated enough yet to have a web site for the practice. On the price front we find they change so much it is impossible to produce a meaningful list. Manufacturers tend to run offers and change them so much it is difficult to keep up to date. Usually what we do is price wormers etc when someone asks us, then we know it is right at the time. The pour on stuff I mentioned was a special deal, my daughter negotiated with manufacturer, then phoned round all our farm clients to make up a bulk order.

Carriage costs are beginning to get a bit out of hand, veterinary wholesalers who used to deliver to us foc are now looking to charge us, and we have to pay the ferry charges on every parcel that comes over. I worked out the total charges for December recently and it worked out at £500 per ton to get things across a 35minute ferry journey.

Duncan