Preventing redwater during the high-risk period
Future Beef Programme Advisor, Aisling Molloy brings us up to date with the latest happenings from Michael and Niall Biggins’ farm in Co. Mayo, where preventative actions are being taken against redwater disease.
Cows on the outblock were given a preventative against redwater disease from ticks. Redwater disease, also known as babesiosis, is a serious tick-borne disease affecting cattle in Ireland. It is caused by a blood parasite called Babesia divergens, which is spread through the bite of infected ticks. The disease is most common on rough grazing land, under-grazed pasture, and areas with heavy scrub or hedgerows.
The disease gets its name from one of its main symptoms – red or dark brown urine caused by the destruction of red blood cells. Redwater can develop quickly and may lead to death if treatment is delayed.
High-risk periods are in late spring, early summer, and autumn when tick activity is highest. Common signs include:
- High temperature
- Loss of appetite
- Animals separating from the herd
- Weakness and depression
- Red or frothy urine
- ‘Pipe-stem’ diarrhoea
- Pale or yellow gums caused by anaemia
- Difficulty standing or staggering
- In severe cases, cattle may collapse and die within a short period. Pregnant cows may also abort.
Prevention
Redwater can be prevented using a combination of field management and the use of tick control products.
Field management
Ticks thrive in rough, damp areas with heavy vegetation. Good grassland management is very important.
Preventive measures include:
- Topping rough pasture
- Clearing scrub and bracken
- Avoiding heavy undergrowth near hedges
- Improving drainage where possible
- Keeping cattle away from known tick-infested fields during peak risk periods
- Well-managed grazing reduces the habitat where ticks survive.
Use of tick control products
Pour-on or topical tick treatments can help protect cattle from bites. These products reduce tick numbers but usually only work for a limited time, so repeat treatment may be necessary during the grazing season.
Michael and Niall have treated their cows with Bayticol which has to be re-administered every 14 days but only has a five-day withdrawal period.
Michael and Niall Biggins are participants in the Teagasc Future Beef Programme.