Hypodermatosis of cattle
Hypodermatosis – Hypodermatosis) is a chronic disease of cattle caused by the larvae of subcutaneous gadflies. It is characterized by General intoxication of the animal's body, inflammation and deformation of the skin, organs and tissues. The pathogen is larvae belonging to the genus Hypoderma, which live under the skin of cattle.
Hypodermatosis mainly affects cattle (including bulls, breeding bulls and buffaloes). The parasite can also be found in horses and, in rare cases, infect them.
Larvae develop similarly, but there are differences in the migration process of the two species in the animal body. After fertilization, their females lay a large number of eggs in the hair of the abdomen, lower chest, side surfaces of the trunk, on the hair of the limbs, in the groin area and on the udder of cattle. Under favorable conditions, larvae hatch from the eggs and enter the host's body through the skin. The larvae then migrate along large blood and nerve vessels and move through the intervertebral openings into the adipose tissue of the spinal canal. Further, the larvae penetrate into the back and lower back, form capsules in which they drill fistula capsules and molt. After that, the larvae fall to the ground, burrow into it and turn into pupae. Stage 1 larvae migrate to the animal's esophagus and are localized in its submucosa.
After the larvae get under the skin, the animals become restless, run away from pastures, hide in the shade or in the water. Under the influence of this, there is a decrease in the weight gain of livestock, as well as dairy and meat productivity.
The cattle barely stand still, stagger when walking. And animals affected by esophageal gadfly are subject to esophagitis, barely swallow food, sometimes there is a blockage of the esophagus. In the late stage of the disease, small nodes form on the spinal and lumbar regions of animals. Then they increase and turn into bumps with holes in the center. As the larvae grow, the release of serous fluid increases, which glues the hair. Under the influence of this, the hair of animals turns green. Fistulas on palpation are hard and painful.
Diagnostics: closer to spring, the animals are examined and examined for hypodermatosis, examined on both sides of the back with the palms of their hands or palpated. Diagnostics are performed on the dorsal and lumbar parts of the animal from the withers to the sacrum.
Treatment: the fight against the pathogen is effective at stage I. Previously used organophosphorus insecticide with systemic action: hypodermin-trichlorfon, amitofo, sulfidic, hypodermal and others. Recently, foreign medicines are used-ivomek, ivermek, cidectin, faskoverm, aversect and hypodectin injection, hypodectin for external use.
The main treatment is carried out in the autumn months after the end of the gadfly summer.
In the spring, animals are subjected to veterinary examination 1 time. Animals affected by stage II and III larvae are treated with one of the above medications.
Prevention: during hot summer days, grazing is allowed in the dark to prevent cattle from being caught. Veterinary drugs that repel insects are used.
Before using veterinary drugs, you should consult with a veterinary specialist.
Main specialist of the Department
organization of antiepidemic
veterinary measures
G. Ilias