Mange is an infection caused by mites, microscopic relatives of spiders. They cause damage to the skin of the infected cattle. This usually happens during autumn and winter but there is a probability it happens all year round. This can be infected toward other cattle with direct contact with the infected animal.

Here we will discuss about 4 organic treatment of mange in cattle in order to keep the cattle to be in top health.

We should recognize the symptoms of the mite infestation in order to take fast actions in treating the animals. Mange can be seen in several forms, usually in the form of lesions on the skin. Infected area can be spread throughout any part of the body. The lesions on the skin will become thicken, grow folds, turning into scabby and starting to leak fluid. Not only lesions, the mange will cause hair loss and itchiness on the lesions. The cattle will rub the itchiness to the trees which worsen the skin condition. And it will cause other illness to your cattle.

If you suspect your cattle got infected with mange, quarantine them from the rest of the herd. Put them under observation to check if your suspicion if they get infected is true or not. Take actions fast to prevent worsen condition happen to your cattle. Ask your vet to come and check your cattle. If the cattle only have mild infections, mild treatment like pour-on medications still can treat with the illness and it works faster. However, some hard cases would need profound treatment involving with injections which will penetrate deeper under the skin.

Cattle with mange will have illness more than skin disease. They can suffer reproductive effects and lose weights which will affect into their performance. This will lead their disability to produce milk effectively.

There are 2 types of mange. They are:

Burrowing (Sarcoptes Scabei and Demodex bavis)
Non-burrowing (Chorioptes bovis and Psoroptes ovis)

The burrowing mite takes 3 weeks from egg to adult. And the adult female will lay eggs for upto 60 days. This type of mange will inhabit near inner thigh, underside of neck and brisket and near the root of the tail. Usually small area of infestation is still okay, but the larger area can be annoying and distressing the cattle.

The non-burrowing mites, Chorioptes and Psoroptes are having similarity in life-cycle to burrowing mites. The difference lies only on adult phase which is only 40 days. This mange stays at the base of the tail, in the perineum and at the back of udder.

Now let’s take a look about organic treatment of mange in cattle.

Treatment

As soon as your cattle goes back to pasture outside, they symptoms of the mange will decrease a lot and quickly. Sun bathing get rid the humidity in the hair coat which affect the fast growing of mite development.

However, a few mites often survive this condition. And when winter comes, they will start to grow very fast and transmit the mites to other herds. So it is really necessary to take preventive measures to hold the disease been spread wider. It’s advised that you give preventive treat to your cattle in the late autumn. As until now no vaccines are able to make the cattle immune to the mites, so this prevention is a must.

Some of organic treatment you can do to treat mange in your cattle, are:

1. Garlic tincture

Garlic is best known as one of nature’s best antibiotics. This will also boost in building up the immune system. Making your cattle strong and healthy is very important if they are having some illness.

Garlic tincture can be purchased in the market. It’s better to buy a high quality tincture as the results is also satisfying. However, you can make garlic tincture by yourselves. Simply peel organic grown garlic to fill a jar up to 1 inch below the neck. Then pour high quality alcohol over the garlic cloves so they are covered with the liquid. Close the lid and seal tightly. You need to shake the jar every day for at least two weeks to make the cloves bruised. This will make the alcohol penetrates deeper and thoroughly into the cloves.

Separate the alcohol and the clove into different jar. You need to crush the olive by placing heavy things on top of the clove which is covered with cheese cloth. Let the mixture drip into the bowl below for minimum 6 hours. Mix the drip into the alcohol. The clove releases the strongest properties during the pressing.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is good in treating skin problems. It’s soothing the irritation and helping digestion. When your cattle got infected with mange, they will definitely have skin problems. And aloe vera can help you treating them with skin problem. You can buy aloe vera in the market. But you can also make it if you grow aloe vera plants at home.

Pick a few biggest leaves. Rinse off and blend them all with a blender or a food processor. Then you can line the colander to filter the liquid. If you keep the fresh mixture, you can only keep it for one or 2 days only. Unless you heat it to pasteurize, then it can be kept for longer time. You can feed this mixture to your cattle to strengthen their immune system.

3. Rubbing vegetable oil

Rubbing vegetable oil onto the skin of your cattle. Coconut oil is one of the best type to treat the mange which infected your cattle. Rub the oil onto the affected area. Do this periodically and you will see the best result.

4. Lime Sulfur dip

Lime Sulfur dip is a combination of sulfur and lime to kill mange mites. The treatment using this method needs to be repeated every 5-7 days to treat the infections. And it needs to be done for at least a month.

As mentioned above that there is no vaccines for mange yet, so it’s very important for you to keep prevention for your cattle.

Here are some advices to keep a healthy cattle.

Ensure your animals are well-nourished and in top health, especially during winter season. Feed your cattle with high quality meals.
Keep the policy to maintain a closed herd
Always quarantine new animals before put them together with your existing herd
Observe closely toward your cattle for any skin infections. Treat them immediately if you find any irritation, inflammation and any abnormal condition.
When your cattle get positive infected with mange, treat as soon as possible and put them away from your other cattle.
Inform your neighbors and others who graze their animals together with yours
Work closely with your neighbors and others who graze communally to get rid of the disease.