Internal parasites
Internal parasites in beef cattle are organisms that live inside the cow’s body, feeding off it and causing health problems. The most common types of internal parasites in beef cattle are worms and liver fluke.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Worms
Liver fluke
Worms
- These live in the cow’s stomach or intestines and cause gut problems.
- The main types are roundworms and lungworms.
- Roundworms mainly affect digestion, leading to weight loss and diarrhoea. Lungworms cause coughing and breathing difficulties.
Liver fluke
- This is a flat parasite that lives in the liver, causing damage.
- It can lead to poor growth, weight loss, and even death if not treated.