Tick-Borne Diseases in Beef Cattle

Ticks do more than irritate cattle. In some regions they carry diseases that cause fever, anemia, abortion, and death, and risk changes with where you live and where your cattle come from.

Key points

Tick-borne disease risk depends on region and tick species.
Fever, pale gums, weakness, and abortion are warning signs.
Brush and tall grass often hold more ticks.
Check state movement rules and quarantine new cattle.
Diagnosis and treatment belong with your vet.

How ticks spread disease

Ticks feed on blood, and while feeding they can pass germs from one animal to another. Different tick species carry different diseases, and each lives in certain climates and habitats. Brushy, wooded, or tall-grass pastures often hold more ticks than short, open grass.

Your risk depends on your region. Ask your vet and extension office which ticks and which diseases are present where you live.

Tick activity follows the seasons, and in warm regions can last most of the year. Ask your extension office when ticks are most active near you so your checks match the calendar.

Diseases to know about

Anaplasmosis and babesiosis are two diseases linked with ticks in cattle. Each has its own guide on this site. Other diseases and tick-related problems may occur in your region, including skin damage and blood loss from heavy tick loads.

Because signs overlap with many other illnesses, a diagnosis needs a vet and lab work. Never assume what a sick animal has.

Some tick-borne diseases can also affect people, and ticks that bite cattle may bite you. Wear long sleeves and check yourself after working in brushy pastures, and follow CDC guidance on tick bite prevention.

Signs that should prompt a call

Watch for fever, depression, loss of appetite, pale or yellowish gums and eyes, weakness, labored breathing, weight loss, and abortions. Heavy tick loads on an animal are a warning on their own.

Animals that are stressed or brought in from areas without ticks may be more at risk. Handle sick cattle calmly, since weak, anemic animals can collapse from exertion.

Newly purchased cattle, calves moved to new pasture, and cattle moved from clean to tick-infested ground are the animals to watch most closely for the first several weeks.

Fever and dullness
Pale or yellow gums and eyes
Weakness or reluctance to move
Rapid breathing
Dark or red urine
Abortion in cows
Many ticks on one animal

Reducing exposure

Management can lower tick numbers. Keep grass and brush mowed or grazed in key areas, and reduce hiding places along fences and around water. Rotate pastures when you can, and keep an eye on wildlife that carry ticks onto your land.

Ask your vet or extension specialist about approved products and timing. Follow the label exactly, wear the protective gear it requires, and respect withdrawal times.

Check cattle by running your hands over ears, necks, tail heads, and under the belly during chute work. Make this part of your routine so you find ticks before they build up.

Buying and moving cattle

Cattle from tick-free areas moved into tick country are more likely to get sick, while cattle from tick country moved out can carry ticks and disease with them. Check state rules, which may require inspection or treatment before movement.

Ask your vet before buying from another region, and quarantine new animals so you can check for ticks and watch for illness.

Ask the seller about tick history and any diseases on the place, and get the answer in writing if you can.

Records to keep

Record dates of tick sightings, animals affected, signs, vet findings, and any control steps. Note where cattle were grazing, since you may find that problems cluster in one pasture.

Keep these notes handy for your vet, who can use them to tailor advice for your herd.

If you lose an animal with signs that match a tick-borne disease, ask your vet whether lab work is worthwhile, since a confirmed cause helps you plan for the whole herd.

Common mistakes

Ignoring a few ticks, treating without a vet diagnosis, moving cattle without checking rules, and handling weak animals roughly are the common errors. Another is assuming that cattle born on the ranch are fully protected. Some animals carry infection without signs and can spread it, so ask your vet about testing. Follow label directions and withdrawal times on every product.

Do not put off asking your extension office about local tick species, since the right prevention for one species can be useless against another.

When to get help: Call your veterinarian for any sick animal with fever, pale gums, or weakness, and contact the state veterinarian or USDA APHIS about movement rules or unusual tick findings. Follow label directions and withdrawal times exactly for any product used.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

More in Herd Health & Cattle Care

← Fly Control on Beef Ranches Anaplasmosis Management →