[exmoorlady]

Has anyone come across warts in Cattle?.    We have been looking at some dexters to increase our herd but they have warts. Some people we have spoken to don't seem to worry about them and others say don't touch them. We show our cattle so don't want to take any risk of ours getting them. We are confused    can anyone help?

[princesspiggy]

i think cattle can get a type of sarciod which can then be spread by flie bites (same with ponies) and can be passed via fly saliva to other stock if they are genetically susceptible. id steer clear if u are into showing. sarcoids are not fully understood by vets yet so different people have diff opinions.

[Beewyched]

I have heard of this - it's caused by a virus   & is HIGHLY contagious.

Doesn't do any harm to the cattle, unless site becomes infected, but looks awful.  Some folks treat with antibiotics, but apparently they just drop-off eventually.

If you show your cattle, I would think twice though  

[jacquip]

Has anyone come across warts in Cattle?.    We have been looking at some dexters to increase our herd but they have warts. Some people we have spoken to don't seem to worry about them and others say don't touch them. We show our cattle so don't want to take any risk of ours getting them. We are confused    can anyone help?

Warts are very contagious and a real pain if you show since you cannot enter an animal with warts.  If you haven't got an existing problem with warts then it is best not to introduce them into your herd.

[exmoorlady]

Thanks evreyone we have decided against these cows.