Dog parasite blamed for Dales cow infection rise

There has been a dramatic rise in the number of cases of neospora infection, caused by a parasite found in dogs' faeces. If dogs foul grazing land and pregnant cattle ingest the parasite, the infection can cause cows to abort or give birth to calves infected for life.

There have been 21 reported cases in the last six months in two Dales farms alone – last year there were only four.

Vet Andy Barrett, from the Kingsway Veterinary Group in Skipton, stressed that there was no danger to humans from eating meat from an infected cow or drinking its milk.

The parasite rarely causes disease in dogs and is therefore very difficult to detect.