Severe cat flea infestation of dairy calves in Brazil.
An investigation was conducted into a severe flea infestation on dairy calves. Inspection of the dairy revealed a high infestation of Ctenocephalides felis felis on four calves and thousands of fleas in the stable where cows and calves were brought in for milking. A 3-month-old female calf was highly infested with fleas. The animal showed an evident lethargy, weight loss, as well as pale mucous membranes and dehydration. Hematological analysis revealed anemia, with 10% packed cell volume and a 1.72 x 10(6) microl(-1) erythrocyte count. Blood transfusions were performed and the flea infestation was controlled with 1% fipronil pour-on (1 ml/10 kg). The farmer was advised to treat the other calves with fipronil, remove the manure from the stable and spread 1% propoxur powder (100 g/m2) onto the floor of the stable.
Araújo
F R
FR
Universidade para o Desenvolvimento do Estado e da Região do Pantanal, Campo Grande MS, Brazil. www.flabio.zaz.com.br.
Silva
M P
MP
Lopes
A A
AA
Ribeiro
O C
OC
Pires
P P
PP
Carvalho
C M
CM
Balbuena
C B
CB
Villas
A A
AA
Ramos
J K
JK
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000662:veterinary; D001938:Brazil; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D007300:Insect Control; D007306:Insecticides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D001074:Propoxur; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005423:Siphonaptera
D007306:Insecticides; D011720:Pyrazoles; D001074:Propoxur; C082360:fipronil