How to Treat Ringworm in Calves

Ringworm is a skin infection that is caused by fungi. In cattle, the fungus Trichophyton verrucosum is the most common cause of the disease. The spores of the fungus that causes ringworm in calves and adult cattle are extremely infectious, so it is very important to monitor your calves for signs of the infection and to treat the condition as soon as you notice its main symptom: a circular, gray-white, crusty raised scab on your animal's head, neck or flank.

Things You'll Need

  • Topical ringworm medication
  • Household bleach
  • Spray bottle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove and quarantine the infected calf or calves from the rest of the cattle herd. Ringworm is a transmissible disease, so a ringworm-infected calf can easily infect others and cause an epidemic throughout your entire herd.

    • 2

      Contact your veterinarian for topical medication to treat the ringworm. In many cases, your veterinarian will not need to examine the ringworm-infected calf, since it is such a common and easily identified condition.

    • 3

      Scrape or brush away the crusty scabs that have formed on the ringworm lesions. Topical ringworm medication will only work effectively if it comes in direct contact with the afflicted skin.

    • 4

      Apply the topical ringworm medication to the calf, making sure it completely covers each lesion. The common dosage for ringworm medicine is two treatments, each treatment applied a few days apart. Consult your veterinarian for dosage instructions for the medicine that she prescribes.

    • 5

      Disinfect all items that have come in contact with the ringworm-infected calf, such as grooming tools and halters. Mix one part bleach to three parts water and pour the solution into a spray bottle to disinfect and kill the ringworm fungus.

    • 6

      Disinfect any areas where the infected calf has been contained, such as barns or stalls, with the bleach and water mixture to prevent contamination of other cattle. Ringworm-causing fungi can live for years in dry environments.

    • 7

      Monitor your remaining cattle for any sign of ringworm infection. At the first indication of a ringworm lesion, quarantine the animal and begin treatment.