In late winter or early spring, cattle producers often encounter cattle with itching or bald patches, leading them to suspect lice infestations and seek insecticide treatments. However, a study led by Dr. Brenda Ralston and her team aimed to uncover the actual causes of itching in cattle, as the link between lice and itching has not been definitively established.
Prompted by the Beef Cattle Research Council’s call for research on itchy cattle, Ralston’s team at Alberta Veterinary Laboratories and Lakeland College, with funding from the Alberta Beef Producers, undertook a three-year project to explore potential factors. They collaborated with veterinarians who reported itchy cattle herds, selecting herds with over 30% of the animals affected.
The research covered various potential causes:
- External Parasites: Researchers examined cattle for lice, mites, and other parasites but found minimal lice presence, ruling it out as a primary cause of itching.
- Straw Mites: They checked straw bedding for mites but found no evidence linking them to itching.
- Allergies: Testing for common allergens like grass and alfalfa revealed no significant reactions, suggesting allergies were unlikely to be a widespread cause.
- Dry Skin: Using a Corneometer to measure skin hydration, the team discovered slight differences in one herd but no significant pattern across all herds.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Blood and liver samples were analyzed for nutrients like copper, selenium, and zinc. Results indicated that itchy cattle had lower copper levels, pointing to copper deficiency as a possible contributor.
While findings showed a potential link between itching and copper deficiency, further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis. The team is seeking additional funding to investigate if copper supplements can alleviate itching. They expressed gratitude to the veterinarians, producers, and funding organizations for their support in enabling this research, aimed at improving cattle health and industry practices.
