By Jessica Crabtree and
Dr. Jered Harlan, DVM
One of the most common skin diseases in cattle is ringworm. A fungal disease, ringworm often appears on calves and yearlings during winter, but normally vanishes by spring. The fungal skin disease is most often transferred by Trichphyton verrucosum, spore-forming fungi. The highly transmittable, infectious disease can spread from species to species, including humans. The spores, in a dry environment, can live for years. Having so many species of Trichophytin and Microsporum fungi, it is hard to build immunities against them. Direct contact with an infected
animal is the most common form of spreading the infection. Other ways the disease is spread is when an infected animal has rubbed on something in their natural environment such as a rope, halter and other equipment. The fungus establishes itself to the skin of the susceptible animal and is infiltrated through the hair follicle. The best way to halt the spread of the fungus is by disinfecting any equipment used on or around the animals.
Although unattractive, ring worm does not cause economic loss and does little to cause any permanent damage. Most common symptoms associated with the disease include grey-white areas of skin with an ash like surface, usually circular in outline and slightly raised. The size of lesions varies and can become extensive. To read more pick up the September 2015 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.