The warts are cosmetic in most cattle, but Dr. Vredenburg cautioned that the virus has been implicated in equine sarcoids. The mention of the word, sarcoid, sent me into a panic. A sarcoid is a large localized cancerous growth that can be quite aggressive. Cutting or burning the sarcoid away is successful in some cases, but more often than not, the sarcoid recurs with a bang and requires multiple, subsequent treatments. Some horses eventually resolve; some never do.
Years ago, I had a gelding with a persistent sarcoid problem in one of his ears. It was a miserable condition and the treatments, localized chemotherapy injections and ointments to burn away the sarcoid, seemed equally horrific. So sarcoids are both familiar and terrifying.
To be certain we were dealing with bovine warts, I asked Dr. Megan Jurasek to check Libbey. Sure enough, Libbey's trouble spots were warts.
A Flat, Circular Bovine
Wart Appears Above Libbey's Eye -- A Bigger, Cauliflower-Like One Is Masked By
The Clay at the Top of Libbey's Head
Dr. Jurasek pinched the warts with some narrow forceps, explaining that if we released the virus to the heifer's system, her body would mount a defense resulting in immunity. At the same time, we vaccinated the other Black Angus heifer, Tove.
Our Charolais cattle, Tad, Daisy, and Daisy's calf, Tip, are at risk for the virus, too, but since they are in the upper pastures, we've used the past couple of weeks to devise a method for safely vaccinating all three. Our cattle chute is in the lower pastures with the Angus, and it isn't safe to mix the two groups right now.
Since Dr. Jurasek's visit, we've doctored Libbey's warts every day, twice daily, using a combination of clay and insect repellent. Most days, Libbey has brushed away my applications, inviting flies into her open wounds and knocking bits of the warts off of her top knot. Since flies are a huge vector for the bovine wart virus, keeping the pests out of Libbey's wounds has been a major concern.
In all of the literature that I've read, transmission of the virus requires a cut or scratch on the new host animal. So, we've been particularly vigilant when it comes to keeping an eye on our healthy animals. Any cuts, scrapes or sores will require prompt doctoring.
We've taken other measures to protect our animals, too. All of our horses and cattle are on a feed-through larvacide to kill flies and I've hung fly traps in strategic locations around the property. Tomorrow, I'll put out the first batch of fly parasites. The tiny insects consume fly larvae. Our horses have always sported fly masks, but they are now wearing masks that have ear coverings, too. Our daily insect spray routine has evolved to include applying an insecticidal lotion along each animal's pectorals, ventral line, bag or sheath, and dock. At night, when we remove the horses' fly masks, we also re-apply bug spray and an insecticidal ointment to each horse's ears, cheeks and muzzle.
Tonight, we tried adding garlic powder to the horse's grain. It's supposed to cause the horse to excrete a garlic scent that naturally repels insects. While a fine idea, it isn't practical as the horses simply turned up their noses at the garlic laced fare, refusing to eat. Well, it was worth a try.
There's always the option to remove the infected animal. While I expect Libbey's warts to successfully resolve, I'm also prepared to cull her from our herd.
This year, it's bovine warts. Last year, it was a rhino outbreak. Several years ago, it was Pigeon Fever. There's always something to fear, always something looming in the shadows. At times, the fear of what might happen can be overwhelming.
For now, we've put precautions in place and we'll continue to do our best. It's all anyone can do.
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