ANIMAL PAKASITES OF CATTLE. 



519 



BLOODSUCKERS OR LEECHES. 



These worms are sornetimes taken up by cattle when drinking from 

 ponds. They may attach themselves to the inner sm^ace of the 

 mouth or nose, and sometimes reach the upper part of the windpipe or 

 of the gullet. Bleeding at the mouth or nose may be noticed, the mem- 

 branes where the leech is attached are liable to beswoUen and congested, 

 and as a result of the loss of blood a condition of anemia may result. 



Treatment. — If the worm can be reached it may be destroyed by 

 cutting it in two with a pair of scissors, or it may be removed with 

 forceps or with the fingers after wrapping a towel around the hand 

 so that the worm can be held without slip- 

 ping. Fumigation with tobacco or tar may 

 cause the worm to release its hold if it can 

 not be removed by other means. Ponds 

 may be rid of infestation with bloodsuckers 

 by the introduction of eels. 



PARASITES OF THE STOMACH. 



The stomach of cattle consists of four com- 

 partments, of which the first and fourth are FiG.i2.-PortionofthewaUofthe 

 most likely to be the seat of parasitic infes- first stomach with conical flukes 

 tation. The first stomach, or paunch, con- ^"^° ^" 

 tains large numbers of minute parasites known as protozoa, which 

 are too small to be seen with the naked eye. These small organ- 

 isms apparently are in no way injurious. A species of fluke {Param- 

 fhistomum cervi or a closely related species) is occasionally found 

 in North Ajnerican cattle, especially grass-fed 

 "* '' "^ cattle, attached to the inner surface of the 



first stomach (fig. 12). This worm is about 

 one-half inch long, and somewhat conical in 

 shape; hence the name, conical fluke, by 

 which it is sometimes known. Although tbis 

 parasite has been accused of producing serious 

 effects, it is generally considered harmless. 

 Several species of roundworms may occur in the fourth stomach. 

 Two of these are of special importance. 



THE TWISTED STOMACH WORM (H^MONCHUS CONTORTUS). 



The twisted stomach worm (HsemoncJius contortus, figs. 13, 14, 

 15) is sometimes found in enormous nimibers in the fourth stomach 

 of cattle. Sheep, goats, and other rimainants may also be infested 

 with it. Among the sjTnptoms caused by this parasite may be men- 

 tioned anemia, loss of flesh, general weakness, dullness, capricious 

 appetite, excessive thirst, and diarrhea. The anemic condition is 

 seen in the paleness of the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth 



Fig. 13.— Twisted stomach 

 worms {Hsewonchus contor- 

 tus). Outlines showing nat- 

 ural size of male (above) and 

 female. 



