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LIVESTOCK DISEASES AND PARASITES
AG 530 - K
UNIT OBJECTIVE
After completion of this unit, students should be able to describe ways to control and treat various diseases
and parasites. Students should also be able to diagnose some of the more basic livestock health problems.
This knowledge will be demonstrated by the completion of assignment sheets and unit test with a minimum
of 85 percent accuracy.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND COMPETENCIES
After completion of this unit, the student should be able to:
1.
Match terms associated with livestock diseases and parasites to their definitions.
2.
Name three ways diseases are diagnosed.
3.
List five ways diseases and parasites are spread.
4.
Match livestock diseases caused by poisoning to their characteristics, the animals they affect
and the symptoms they cause.
5.
Describe general measures for controlling internal and external parasites.
6.
Distinguish between external and internal parasites.
7.
Identify selected internal and external parasites when given a description of their life
cycles.
8.
Identify external parasites when given a drawing.
9.
Complete a chart containing diseases, species affected, symptoms and treatment and
control.
10.
Complete a chart containing parasites, symptoms and treatment and control.
11.
Diagnose various disease and parasite problems when given a description.
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LIVESTOCK DISEASES AND PARASITES
AG 530 - K
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
I.
II.
Suggested activities for the instructor
A.
Make transparencies and necessary copies of materials.
B.
Provide students with objectives and discuss.
C.
Provide students with information and discuss.
D.
Give students assignment sheets.
E.
Have students prepare a panel discussion about various disease and parasite
problems.
F.
Have students choose one or two disease or parasite problems and write or give
a report on them.
G.
Arrange for students to view a necropsy.
H.
Arrange a display of pictures of animals with various disease symptoms.
I.
Have students develop skits representing various disease symptoms.
J.
Develop a chart of the life cycles of parasites common to the area.
K.
Write up an assignment sheet containing symptoms of diseases common to the
local area.
L.
Review and give test.
M.
Reteach and retest if necessary.
Instructional materials
A.
Objective sheet
B.
Sugggested activities
C.
Information sheet
D.
Transparency masters
1.
TM 1--Horse Bot Fly
2.
TM 2--Cattle Grub or Heel Fly
3.
TM 3--Swine Intestinal Roundworm
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E.
III.
4.
TM 4--Liver Fluke
5.
TM 5--Stomach Worm
6.
TM 6--External Parasites
Assignment sheets
1.
AS 1--Complete a Chart Containing Diseases, Species Affected,
Symptoms and treatment and Control
2.
AS 2--Complete a Chart Containing Parasites, Symptoms and
Treatment and Control
3.
AS 3--Diagnose Various Disease and Parasite Problems When Given a
Description of the Problem
F.
Answers to assignment sheets
G.
Test
H.
Answers to test
Unit references
A.
Baker, James K. and Greer, William J., Animal Health. The Interstate Printers
and Publishers, Inc., Danville, Illinois, 1980.
B.
Barrick, R. Kirby, Harmon, Hobart L., Animal Production and Management.
McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1988.
C.
Berrier, Harry H., Animal Sanitation and Disease Prevention. Kendall/Hunt
Publishing Co., Dubuque, Iowa, 1977.
D.
Campbell, John R. and Lasley, John F., The Science of Animals That Serve
Mankind. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1975.
E.
Cow-Calf Management Guide, Cattleman's Library. University of Idaho
Cooperative Extension Service, 1980.
F.
Haynes, N. Bruce., Keeping Livestock Healthy. Garden Way Publishing,
Charlotte, Vermont, 1978.
G.
Instructional Materials for Vocational Agriculture II. Teaching Materials
Center, Agricultural Education Department, Texas A & M University, College
Station, Texas.
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LIVESTOCK DISEASES AND PARASITES
AG 530 - K
INFORMATION SHEET
I.
Terms and definitions
A.
Parasite--Organism living off another organism
B.
Diagnosis--What someone has determined a disease to be
C.
Life cycle--A complete pattern of normal changes an organism goes through
D.
Necropsy--Examination of a dead animal to determine cause of death
(Note: This most often involves dissecting.)
E.
Aborted fetus--Unborn young of a species that has been expelled or removed
from the mother before full term
F.
Fungus--Plant that lives only off of other dead or living organic matter
G.
Convulsions--Violent, uncontrollable contractions of the muscles
H.
Gangrene--Tissue decay caused by loss of blood to the tissue
I.
Hemorrhage--Excessive bleeding
J.
Drought--Lack of water
K.
Bolus--Large pill
L.
Mucous membrane--Lining of body openings and digestive tract that secretes a
watery substance
M.
Larva--Immature form of insects
N.
Symptom--Outward expression of a disease
O.
Placenta--Thin structure in the uterus from which a fetus gets its nourishment; it
is expelled soon after birth
P.
Conception--Uniting of the egg and sperm
Q.
Infertility--Inability to reproduce
R.
Inflammation--Condition of body tissue causing it to be hot, red and swollen
S.
Dehydration--Loss of body fluids
T.
Glucose--Type of simple sugar
U.
Diarrhea--Condition of a runny, wet feces
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II.
III.
V.
Reactor animals--Animals that have a "positive" reaction to a test used to
indicate the presence of a certain disease
W.
Tumor--Abnormal growth of tissue
X.
Cornea--Covering of the eyeball
Y.
Constipation--Inability to expel feces
Z.
Intravenously--By way of the veins
Ways diseases are diagnosed
A.
Observation of symptoms
B.
Laboratory tests of blood, animal wastes and animal tissue
C.
Necropsy
Ways diseases and parasites are spread
A.
Direct contact with infected animals or animal products
B.
Contact with humans
(Note: This usually happens when humans have been working with infected
animals and carry the infection on boots or clothing. Some diseases can be
spread from humans that actually have the infection to livestock.)
IV.
C.
Contact with livestock facilities and equipment that have contacted infected
animals
D.
Contact with dead livestock or an aborted fetus
E.
Carried through the air or water
F.
Insects
G.
Infected wild animals
Livestock poisoning
A.
Ergot Poisoning
1.
Fungus disease that attacks grain
2.
Affects cattle, swine, sheep and poultry
3.
Symptoms--Lameness in hind legs; nervousness; trembling and
painfully contracting muscles; convulsions; gangrene in ears, tail and
feet
4.
Control--Avoid ergot infested grain; keep affected animals warm
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B.
C.
D.
E.
Alfatoxin Poisoning
1.
Product of fungus growing on stored grain
2.
Affects cattle, swine and poultry
3.
Symptoms--Reduced growth; decreased appetite; hemorrhaging
4.
Control--Keep grains dry
Prussic Acid Poisoning (cyanide)
1.
Formed on frost or drought-damaged Johnson grass or Sudan grass
2.
Affects cattle
3.
Symptoms--Staggered walking; difficult respiration; animals go down
quickly
4.
Treatment--Use nitrate boluses
Pine Needle Abortion
1.
Affects cattle that eat Ponderosa Pine needles
2.
Symptoms--Abortion or premature and weak calves
3.
Control--Keep pregnant cattle away from Ponderosa Pine needles
Urea Poisoning
1.
Caused by overfeeding urea in ration or by putting too much on
pastures as fertilizer; also caused by resumption of feeding urea after a
short interruption
(Note: Cattle can digest up to 400 grams of urea a day, but must first
become slowly adjusted to it. They can lose their tolerance in as little
as 48 hours.)
2.
Affects cattle, sheep
3.
Symptoms--Staggering; trembling muscles; rapid pulse
4.
Control--Introduce urea slowly into the ration; mix it in well with grain;
use caution when introducing cattle to pastures fertilized with urea
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F.
V.
1.
Used as insecticides and are very toxic; can be absorbed through skin
or taken in from eating sprayed plants; sometimes animals drink dip or
spray
2.
Affects cattle, sheep, swine, horses
3.
Symptoms--Difficult breathing; excessive drooling; staggering;
impaired vision
4.
Control--Avoid pastures recently sprayed with organophosphates; use
care when spraying or dipping cattle
Measures for controlling internal and external parasites
A.
B.
VI.
Organophosphate Poisoning
Internal
1.
Practice pasture rotation
2.
Check animals regularly
3.
Treat animals showing signs of parasites
4.
Practice proper lot sanitation
5.
Drain wet pasture sites
6.
Graze young animals on clean pastures
External
1.
Keep manure cleaned from barnyards to prevent fly breeding
2.
Spray livestock regularly
3.
Spray livestock housing
4.
Control grubs before they damage the hide
5.
Spray new animals arriving on the farm
6.
Check livestock frequently
Internal and external parasites
A.
Internal
1.
Coccidia
2.
Intestinal worm
3.
Lungworm
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B.
4.
Ascarid
5.
Liver fluke
6.
Stomach worm
7.
Tapeworm
External
1.
Blowfly
2.
Horn fly
3.
Screwworm fly
(Note: This fly has been nearly eradicated from the United States.)
4.
Grub (heel fly)
(Note: Although the grub does migrate through the host, it is still
considered an external parasite.)
VII.
5.
Horsefly
6.
Tick
7.
Lice
8.
Ringworm
9.
Mite
10.
Ked
Life cycle of selected parasites (Transparencies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
A.
B.
Horse bot fly (Transparency 1)
1.
Adult fly lays eggs on horse's hair
2.
Larva enters mouth and attaches to stomach wall
3.
Larva matures and is carried out with the feces
4.
Adult fly emerges and lives only a few days
Cattle grub or heel fly (Transparency 2)
1.
Adult fly lays eggs on heel
2.
Larva enters body and migrates through connective tissue to the back of
the animal
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C.
D.
3.
Larva drops to ground
4.
Adult fly emerges
Swine intestinal roundworm (Transparency 3)
1.
Egg eaten by swine
2.
Egg hatches to worm
3.
Adult worm in small intestine
4.
Eggs are passed in feces
Liver fluke (Transparency 4)
(Note: This affects sheep and cattle.)
E.
1.
Adult lays eggs in bile ducts
2.
Eggs pass in feces and must land in water
3.
Larva finds a host snail and matures
4.
Larva leaves snail and attaches to plant
5.
Larva is eaten by animal
6.
Young flukes then burrow into the liver
Stomach worms (Transparency 5)
(Note: These mainly affect cattle, sheep and horses.)
VIII.
1.
Adult lays eggs which pass in the feces
2.
Larva hatches and is eaten
3.
Adult attaches to stomach wall
External parasite identification (Transparency 6)
A.
Mite
B.
Lice
C.
Tick
D.
Horn fly
E.
Barn fly
F.
Heel fly
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IX.
G.
Screwworm fly
H.
Ked
Livestock diseases
(Note: The symptoms mentioned in the chart on pages 11-19 often vary with each
individual situation. Contact a veterinarian when in doubt about a diagnosis.)
(Caution: The following treatments and controls are for general information only. They
are deliberately vague when dealing with medicines and vaccines. Consult veterinarian
before giving animals any kind of treatment.)
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TM 1
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TM 2
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TM 3
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TM 4
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TM 5
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TM 6
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LIVESTOCK DISEASES AND PARASITES
AG 530 - K
ASSIGNMENT SHEET #1--COMPLETE A CHART CONTAINING PARASITES,
SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT AND CONTROL
Name _____________________________________
Score __________________________________
Choose diseases most common in the local area and use them to fill in the chart below. Use information in
the unit plus more specific information from a local veterinarian, extension agent, agriculture instructor
and/or rancher.
Parasite and
Species Affected
Symptoms
Prevention and Control
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
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Parasite and
Species Affected
Symptoms
Prevention and Control
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
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LIVESTOCK DISEASES AND PARASITES
AG 530 - K
ASSIGNMENT SHEET #2--COMPLETE A CHART CONTAINING PARASITES,
SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT AND CONTROL
Name _____________________________________
Score __________________________________
Choose parasites most common in the local area and use them to fill in the chart below. Use information in
the unit plus more specific information from a local veterinarian, extension agent, agriculture instructor
and/or rancher.
Parasite and
Species Affected
Symptoms
Prevention and Control
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
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Parasite and
Species Affected
Symptoms
Prevention and Control
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
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LIVESTOCK DISEASES AND PARASITES
AG 530 - K
ASSIGNMENT SHEET #3--DIAGNOSE VARIOUS DISEASE AND PARASITE
PROBLEMS WHEN GIVEN A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM
Name _____________________________________
Score __________________________________
Make a diagnosis of the problems described below.
1.
Two of your beef animals have become very lame. You notice they have a high fever. After a
while you also notice there is swelling over the hips and shoulder. The skin of the animal feels
rather cold and crackles when you touch it.
Diagnosis ______________________________________________________________________
2.
You moved your cattle to a new range that has a few swampy areas. A few days later you notice
an animal standing with an arched back and a pulled in abdomen. The animal is having a hard
time breathing and appears very weak when it tries to move. It has a dark red, foamy urine.
Diagnosis ______________________________________________________________________
3.
You have just moved your cattle onto lush pastures. Soon you notice a couple of animals standing
with an extended neck and making grunting sounds as they breath out.
Diagnosis ______________________________________________________________________
4.
One of your cows has just given birth and is not interested in eating. She is somewhat nervous
and has her head turned back into her side.
Diagnosis ______________________________________________________________________
5.
Several of your newborn calves are having trouble breathing and act very stiff, especially in their
hind quarters.
Diagnosis ____________________________________________________________________
6.
In the spring and summer you notice your cattle putting their tails in the air and running for the
shade. A few months later you notice bumps start to form on their backs.
Diagnosis ______________________________________________________________________
7.
Your sheep have developed diarrhea. Some even have dark bloody feces. You have ruled out any
disease.
Diagnosis ______________________________________________________________________
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LIVESTOCK DISEASES AND PARASITES
AG 530 - K
ANSWERS TO ASSIGNMENT SHEETS
Assignment Sheet #1
Answered to the satisfaction of the instructor.
Assignment Sheet #2
Answered to the satisfaction of the instructor.
Assignment Sheet #3
1.
Blackleg
2.
Red water
3.
Emphysema
4.
Milk fever
5.
White muscle
6.
Heel fly
7.
Coccidia
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LIVESTOCK DISEASES AND PARASITES
AG 530 - K
UNIT TEST
Name _____________________________________
1.
Score __________________________________
Match the terms on the right to their correct definitions.
_____a.
Abnormal growth of tissue
1.
Fungus
_____b.
Immature form of insects
2.
Parasite
_____c.
Loss of body fluids
3.
Cornea
_____d.
Condition of body tissue causing it to be hot,
red and swollen
4.
Tumor
Examination of a dead animal to determine
cause of death
5.
Hemorrhage
A complete pattern of normal changes an
organism goes through
6.
Convulsions
_____g.
Outward expression of a disease
7.
Intravenously
_____h.
Lack of water
8.
Constipation
_____i.
Type of simple sugar
9.
Diagnosis
_____j.
Thin structure in the uterus from which a fetus
gets its nourishment; it is expelled soon after birth
10. Mucous membrane
_____k.
By way of the veins
11. Infertility
_____l.
Inability to expel feces
12. Drought
_____e.
_____f.
_____m. Plant that lives only off of other dead or living
organic matter
_____n.
13. Reactor animals
Lining of body openings and digestive tract that
secretes a watery substance
14. Aborted fetus
_____o.
Uniting of the egg and sperm
15. Diarrhea
_____p.
Violent, uncontrollable contractions of the
muscles
16. Bolus
_____q.
Large pill
17. Placenta
_____r.
Condition of a runny, wet feces
18. Gangrene
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_____s.
2.
Unborn young of a species that has been expelled
or removed from the mother before full term
19. Dehydration
_____t.
Inability to reproduce
20. Larva
_____u.
Tissue decay caused by loss of blood to the tissue
21. Necropsy
_____v.
Covering of the eyeball
22. Conception
_____w.
What someone has determined a disease to be
23. Life cycle
_____x.
Organism living off another organism
24. Symptom
_____y.
Excessive bleeding
25. Inflammation
_____z.
Animals that have a "positive" reaction to a test
used to indicate the presence of a certain disease
26. Glucose
Name three ways diseases are diagnosed.
a. ____________________________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________________________
3.
List five ways diseases and parasites are spread.
a.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
b.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
c.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
d.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
e.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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4.
Match the livestock diseases on the right to their characteristics and symptoms.
_____a.
Found on Ponderosa Pine ranges
1.
Urea Poisoning
_____b.
Fungus disease causing lameness, nervousness and
convulsions
2.
Pine Needle
Abortion
_____c.
Staggering; rapid pulse; trembling muscles;
affects cattle and sheep
3.
Prussic Acid
Poisoning
_____d.
Fungus disease causing decreased appetite and
hemorrhaging
4.
Organophosphate
Poisoning
_____e.
Staggering; difficult respiration; can be
treated with nitrate boluses
Poisoning
5.
Alfatoxin
6.
Ergot Poisoning
_____f.
5.
Can be eaten or absorbed; causes difficult
breathing; excessive drooling; impaired vision;
caused when spraying or dipping cattle
Describe general measures for controlling internal and external parasites. Describe three under
each category.
External
a. ____________________________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________________________
Internal
a. ____________________________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________________________
6.
Distinguish between the internal and external parasites listed by placing an "In" by the internal
parasites and an "Ex" by the external parasites.
_____a.
Lice
_____g.
Horsefly
_____m. Intestinal worm
_____b.
Mite
_____h.
Blowfly
_____n.
Grub (Heel fly)
_____c.
Ascarid
_____i.
Ked
_____o.
Ringworm
_____d.
Tick
_____j.
Coccidia
_____p.
Stomach worm
_____e.
Tapeworm
_____k.
Lungworm
_____q.
Screwworm fly
_____f.
Liver fluke
_____l.
Horn fly
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7.
Identify the correct internal and external parasites to the life cycles described below. Write the
answer in the blank provided.
a. _________________________________________________
Life cycle: Adult fly lays eggs on heel; Larva enters body and migrates through connective tissue
to the back of the animal; Larva drops to ground; Adult fly emerges
b. _________________________________________________
Life cycle: Egg eaten by swine; Egg hatches to worm; Adult worm in small intestine; Eggs are
passed in feces
c. _________________________________________________
Life cycle: Adult lays eggs which pass in the feces; Larva hatches and is eaten; Adult attaches to
stomach wall
d. _________________________________________________
Life cycle: Adult fly lays eggs on horse's hair; Larva enters mouth and attaches to stomach wall;
Larva matures and is carried out with the feces; Adult fly emerges and lives only a few days
e. ________________________________________________
Life cycle: Adult lays eggs in bile ducts; Eggs pass in feces and must land in water; Larva finds a
host snail and matures; Larva leaves snail and attaches to plant; Larva is eaten by animal; Young
burrow into the liver
8.
Identify the external parasites pictured below. Write the correct name in the blank provided.
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LIVESTOCK DISEASES AND PARASITES
AG 530 - K
ANSWERS TO TEST
1.
2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
4
20
19
25
21
23
24
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
12
26
17
7
8
1
10
o.
p.
q.
r.
s.
t.
u.
22
6
16
15
14
11
18
v.
w.
x.
y.
z.
3
9
2
5
13
Observation of symptoms; Laboratory tests of blood, animal wastes and animal tissue; Necropsy
3.
Answer should include five of the following: Direct contact with infected animals or animal
products; Contact with humans; Contact with livestock facilities and equipment that have
contacted infected animals; Contact with dead livestock or an aborted fetus; Carried through the
air or water; Insects; Infected wild animals
4.
a.
b.
c.
5.
Answer should include three of the following measures under each category:
2
6
1
d.
e.
f.
5
3
4
External: Keep manure cleaned from barnyards to prevent fly breeding; Spray livestock regularly;
Spray livestock housing; Control grubs before they damage the hide; Spray new animals arriving
on the farm; Check livestock frequently
Internal: Practice pasture rotations; Check animals regularly; Treat animals showing signs of
parasites; Practice proper lot sanitation; Drain wet pasture sites; Graze young animals on clean
pastures
6.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
7.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
8.
a.
b.
c.
Ex
Ex
In
Ex
In
g.
h.
i.
j.
f.
Ex
Ex
Ex
In
In
l.
m.
n.
o.
k.
Ex
In
Ex
Ex
In p. In
q. Ex
Cattle grub or heel fly
Swine intestinal roundworm
Stomach worms
Horse bot fly
Live fluke
Barn fly
Tick
Mite
d.
e.
f.
Screwworm fly
Lice
Horn fly
g.
h.
Heel fly
Ked