Parasites Of Farm Animals - SS1 Biology Lesson Note

Farm animals can be affected by a variety of parasites that can cause diseases and impact their overall health and productivity. Here are some common parasites of farm animals:

1.     Internal Parasites:

A.    Roundworms (Nematodes): Infect the gastrointestinal tract of animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Examples include Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm) and Ostertagia spp. (brown stomach worm).

B.     Tapeworms (Cestodes): Affect animals like cattle, sheep, and pigs. The common cattle tapeworm (Moniezia spp.) and the sheep tapeworm (Thysanosoma actinioides) are notable examples.

Figure 87 image from wormboss.com

C.    Liver Flukes: Affect livestock, particularly cattle and sheep. Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica are liver fluke species that can cause significant damage to the liver.

Figure 88 image from wormboss.com

D.    Lungworms: Infect the respiratory system of animals like cattle, sheep, and goats. Dictyocaulus spp. are examples of lungworms.

2.     External Parasites:

A.    Ticks: Blood-feeding ectoparasites that can infest livestock, such as cattle, sheep, horses, and pigs. Common tick species include Rhipicephalus spp. (brown tick) and Amblyomma spp. (bush tick).

Figure 89 image from resaerchgate.net

B.    Lice: Parasitic insects that infest the skin and hair of farm animals. Examples include Bovicola bovis (cattle biting louse) and Damalinia spp. (sheep chewing louse).

C.     Mites: Small arthropods that can cause skin irritation and mange in animals. Sarcoptes scabiei (sarcoptic mange mite) affects various livestock species.

D.     Flies: Different fly species can infest farm animals, causing annoyance, bites, and transmitting diseases. Examples include horn flies (Haematobia irritans) and stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans).

2.     Protozoan Parasites:

A.    Coccidia: Intracellular parasites that affect the gastrointestinal tract of animals like poultry, cattle, and small ruminants. Eimeria spp. are common coccidian parasites.

B.     Cryptosporidium: Protozoan parasites that cause diarrhea in calves, lambs, and piglets. Cryptosporidium parvum is a significant species affecting farm animals.

3.     Other Parasites:

A.    Fleas: Can infest various mammals, including dogs, cats, and sometimes farm animals.

B.     Mange Mites: Burrowing mites that cause mange, a skin condition, in livestock such as pigs, cattle, and sheep.

Effective parasite control in farm animals involves a combination of strategies, including proper nutrition, hygiene, regular deworming or treatment, pasture management, and veterinary guidance. Integrated parasite management programs are often implemented to minimize the impact of these parasites on animal health and farm productivity.