Summer Skin Threats: Protecting Livestock from Sunburn, Infections, and Parasites
As temperatures climb, livestock face more than heat stress-skin conditions like sunburn, rain rot, and parasite-driven sores are growing threats in 2025. Ranchers who act early can prevent pain, infection, and profit loss with simple, timely strategies.
While livestock have thicker skin than humans, summer sun, heat, and moisture can still cause serious skin conditions. Experts at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) outline the top three threats ranchers should monitor this summer:
1. Photosensitization: Sunburn From Toxic Plants
Photosensitization leads to severe sunburn-like symptoms, including redness, swelling, ulceration, and skin sloughing. It's caused when animals ingest toxic plants like Bishop's weed or Largeleaf lantana that make the skin hypersensitive to UV rays.
There are two types:
Primary photosensitization: Caused by direct ingestion of toxic plants.
Secondary (hepatogenous) photosensitization: Caused by liver damage preventing breakdown of harmful substances.
What to do:
Move affected animals to shade immediately.
Contact a veterinarian.
Remove phototoxic plants from pastures.
2. Rain Rot: Moisture-Driven Skin Infection
Caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis, rain rot occurs when animals stay wet for long periods. Moisture breaks down the skin barrier, allowing bacteria to enter even without wounds.
Symptoms include:
Crusty, matted hair or patchy hair loss.
Sores on the back or lower legs.
Raw, bleeding skin in severe cases.
Rain rot can lead to systemic infections if untreated. Prompt veterinary care improves recovery and reduces pain.
3. Summer Sores: Fly-Borne Wounds That Don't Heal
Also known as cutaneous habronemiasis, summer sores are caused by fly-transmitted parasitic worms. Houseflies and stable flies deposit immature habronema worms into wounds or moist areas like lips and eyes.
Watch for:
Persistent red, round wounds.
Sores near eyes, lips, or old injuries.
Itching and inflammation.
What to do:
Implement fly control in barns and pastures.
Contact a veterinarian immediately-these sores do not heal without treatment.
Keep Herds Healthy With Expert Support
With cattle prices rising in 2025, preventing avoidable animal health issues is more important than ever. Skin problems can lead to decreased productivity, suffering, and even death. By watching for signs of irritation, removing toxic plants, and working closely with veterinarians and diagnostic labs like TVMDL, producers can protect their livestock and their bottom line all summer long.
