Ringworm & Skin Diseases in Cattle & Buffalo

What are ringworm and other skin diseases?

Ringworm is not a worm. It is a fungal infection of the skin and hair, caused in cattle mainly by Trichophyton verrucosum. It causes round, grey-white, crusty patches where the hair falls out, often around the eyes, on the face and on the neck. Calves and young stock are affected most, especially in crowded or damp sheds. It spreads by contact and from walls, posts and brushes, where its spores survive for a long time.

Other common skin problems include mange, caused by tiny mites in or on the skin; lice and ticks; and bacterial infections, wounds and abscesses. Lumpy skin disease (LSD) causes firm lumps over the body with fever, and owners who suspect it should tell their veterinarian or the animal husbandry department.

Ringworm, and some mange mites, can pass to people, so wear gloves when handling affected animals, wash your hands afterwards and see a doctor if you notice an itchy or round patch on your skin.

Signs to watch for

Common signs include:

• Round, crusty, hairless patches, often on the face or neck
• Itching and rubbing against walls or posts
• Thick, wrinkled or scaly skin
• Lice or ticks in the coat
• Pus, scabs or painful swellings on the skin
• Firm lumps over the skin, with fever

Not every animal shows every sign. Ringworm patches are often only mildly itchy, while mange is often very itchy.

Which lab tests help

The Ringworm (KOH) Examination for Cattle & Buffalo uses KOH (potassium hydroxide) to clear hairs and skin scrapings, so fungal spores and threads can be seen under a microscope. A Skin Scraping (Mange Mite Examination) looks for mites in scrapings that your vet takes. Mites can be hard to find, so a negative result does not rule mange out.

Ticks or lice you collect in a closed container can be named with Ectoparasite Identification (Ticks, Lice & Fleas). For pus, scabs or wounds, Skin Scraping Bacterial Culture & Sensitivity grows the bacteria and shows which medicines may work, which helps your vet choose. For lumps, Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) RT-PCR can confirm LSD, and Histopathology / Biopsy of a small piece of skin helps with unusual or long-lasting lesions.

A registered veterinarian interprets every result together with the animal's signs and history. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.

When to see your vet

See your vet promptly if skin patches spread, if animals are very itchy or losing condition, or if several animals are affected. An animal with fever and lumps over the skin needs a vet the same day. Keep affected animals apart where possible and clean shared brushes and ropes, as your vet advises. Ask your vet about prevention for your herd.

Testing in Bhopal

Free sample collection is available anywhere in Bhopal from Pashupatinath Vet Lab, at C-200, C Sector, Shahpura, Bhopal. From other districts, hair, scraping and swab samples can be sent through your local vet, by courier or by bus parcel. Call or WhatsApp +91 88175 01118 to arrange it. Reports come on WhatsApp, by e-mail and in My Reports on the website.