If you live in an area that has any kind of cattle tick, then you’ll probably be quite familiar with the content of this article. However, if you’re new to an area with ticks, then hopefully this quick little article helps you out.
Cattle Tick (QLD Cattle Tick)
Cattle Ticks, Rhipicephalus australis, are found in coastal regions of QLD, NT, northern WA, as well as in north-east NSW. They are responsible for carrying and infecting cattle with Tick Fever, i.e., Babesia and Anaplasma organisms. All breeds of cattle are susceptible to tick fever caused by the Anaplasma organism, while mainly Bos taurus breeds are susceptible to tick fever caused by Babesia organisms.
It is important to control Cattle Ticks on naive cattle introduced to a Cattle Tick area, as they will not have the same natural immunity as calves/cattle that were born in that area. Some chemical treatments may be required, you can read more about Cattle Ticks here. You can read more about Tick Fever here.
Paralysis Tick
Paralysis ticks, Ixodes holocyclus, are the main cause of paralysis in cattle. They are found along the east coast of Australia and are most active from August to December.
They can be identified by their distinctive shape, with their legs located to the forefront of their bodies.
Paralysis ticks are 3-host ticks; meaning that for each stage of their life cycle, they must find a new host to live on. Wildlife are common hosts for nymph ticks to attach to, during which they can move great distances and often onto farms.
When the adult tick feeds, it can inject a toxin that can cause fatal paralysis. Cattle can develop natural immunity to the paralysis toxin with repeated exposure. Young calves, from newborn to 6-8 months old, are most susceptible to paralysis (due to toxin dose per bodyweight factor).
If you want to have a chat about how to control paralysis ticks, give us a call.
Bush Tick
Bush ticks, Hamaphysalis, are found in wet coastal areas of QLD, NSW and VIC, however, are sometimes found in other states too. They can be identified by their prominent ‘horn like’ front limbs. Bush ticks are responsible for carrying the protozoan parasite Theileria orientalis, which causes Theileriosis (bovine anaemia).
All cattle in areas where the bush tick is found will become infected with Theileria within a few weeks of birth. Calves usually develop a natural immunity to Theileriosis by 6 months of age and rarely get sick as adults. However, introducing naive cattle to a bush tick area exposes them to Theileria without any immunological protection. Bush ticks are also 3-host ticks, only attaching a feeding on their hose cattle for 5-7 days before dropping off. As such, many chemical treatments do not work fast enough to kill bush ticks before they inject the animal with large amounts of Theileria.
Control of Theileriosis is best achieved by applying methods to keep the bush tick numbers as low as possible for newborn and introduced naive cattle. This can be achieved by calving before times of bush tick activity, i.e., calving in June/July rather than August/September, or by buying naive cattle outside of high-risk times.
Give us a call if you would like to chat about possible options for chemical control of bush tick, concerning Theileriosis.
If you have any questions about controlling Cattle Tick, Bush Tick or Paralysis Tick, you can give us a call on 1800 243 683, or send an email to admin@chemvet.com.au.
References
Cattle Tick Control Strategy | Chemvet Australia
Identifying Tick Borne Diseases and Conditions in Cattle | Tickboss
How and When to Treat Other Ticks | Tickboss