Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??

Subject: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: Mr Red
Date: 01 Feb 14 - 06:14 AM

a local farmer told me of a farming neighbour who put a donkey in with his herd of cattle because he claimed it prevented (reduced probability of?) TB. The farmer in question is dead, possibly 20 years since, and donkeys live 30 years ish. His sons still farm and I am trying to get more info.

1) has anyone heard of this before?
2) what mechanism would it employ?
    a) the donkey making badgers un-nerved and move
    b) the donkeys carrying a virus that is not especially harmful but confers a level of immunity to TB. A la cowpox/smallpox.
3) is it myth and the farmer got lucky?

Predictably our local MP did not even respond to an e-mail asking for a yes or no on "knowing" this. And a yes or no on opinion thereof. He is Tory, a farmer, and badger culls are a hot issue here in Gloucs , still after the recent cull.

I am not trying to promote for or against badger culls and I am anticipating posts that don't answer the questions above. Such is the nature of these things!!!!!

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 01 Feb 14 - 06:46 AM

not really an answer, but I read of a new Zealand farmer whose cow had mastitis. the vet was unable to find an anti biotic that worked and suggested putting her down. however, the farmer having read a creationist article about superbugs not being so super after all because they were highly specialized, decided to inject manured dirty water into the cow. the vet was furious but the mastitis cleared.   the theory being possibly that more common bacteria done the job. no definite claim is being made here. some days later it got mastitis again, and this time usual antibiotics worked. it was still alive at time of article.
is it possible that the donkey brushing against the cattle conferred something beneficial,,,i don't know...

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Feb 14 - 09:43 AM

"Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of cattle and one of the biggest challenges facing the cattle farming industry today, particularly in the west and south west of England. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), which can also infect and cause TB in badgers, deer, goats, pigs, camelids (llamas and alpacas), dogs and cats, as well as many other mammals."

Note: "Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis)" can also infect donkeys, horses, dogs and cats.

Looks to me like the fellow got lucky--and his herd, too.

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: Mr Red
Date: 02 Feb 14 - 05:54 AM

interesting, still waiting for answers locally.
The MP will answer me in person when he comes into our radio station to promote himself. He does regularly - I just have to be there at the right time.

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Feb 14 - 05:57 AM

Good luck.

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Feb 14 - 05:59 AM

BTW, good decision to get the donkey's take on the matter.

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: GUEST,FARMER TERRY
Date: 06 Mar 15 - 11:26 PM

I'm 69 and remember farmers keeping donkeys with cattle when I was a boy. Could it be that donkeys drive away badgers after all some poultry farmers keep llamas to protect free range hens from foxes

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: GUEST,DT
Date: 24 Jan 16 - 12:59 PM

A farmer in my area of the SW keeps a donkey with his cattle. His herd is free of TB even though those around him do have it. As to whether this is a fluke or not I cannot say. However it appears donkeys are sometimes used to guard against coyotes, foxes etc in america, maybe they keep the badgers away also?

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 Jan 16 - 05:04 AM

"A farmer in my area of the SW keeps a donkey with his cattle. His herd is free of TB even though those around him do have i
Intrestin - do you have any evidence of this particular event?

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: mayomick
Date: 25 Jan 16 - 05:45 AM

a friend of a friend tied up his shoelace in a field where there was a herd of cattle last week. So far there has been no outbreak of bovine TB cattle in the field. Will keep you posted

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: Mr Red
Date: 25 Jan 16 - 08:47 AM

I am anticipating posts that don't answer the questions above
there's always one. Find the brand of shoelaces and you can clean up. (I bet he uses elephant repellant, and that has worked well for him!)

BTW MP's office had no recollection of receiving e-mail! From his own website! Radio Station closed. Issue is not.

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: GUEST,#
Date: 25 Jan 16 - 08:57 AM

"Conclusion: Although rare in equines, disease caused by M. bovis should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in donkeys presenting with signs of respiratory disease and respiratory or generalised granulomatous inflammation."

from

http://research.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/paper/546

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Jan 16 - 10:18 AM

Folks around here keep llamas to protect against coyotes and, yes, wolves. Seems like a llama will stomp either one. The llamas are kept with sheep and cows; I don't know about equine species.

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: GUEST,DT
Date: 26 Jan 16 - 05:48 AM

Les, the only evidence I have is being a farmer close to the property. Those with TB around him are both organic and non-organic dairy and/or beef. The ground is obviously very similar to his neighbours (I do not know if the bedrock is closer to the surface preventing badgers digging). Having spent a good many years working with the Ministry in TB I know facts are what counts….. but it's an interesting 'coincidence' that his herd is – as the locals describe it – a TB free oasis.

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 26 Jan 16 - 07:07 AM

Genuinely intrestin then!

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jan 16 - 07:44 AM

Call a large-animal vet and ask.

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: GUEST,Guest ND
Date: 26 Jan 16 - 12:15 PM

A variation on the theme is having a goat among the cows to avoid Brucellosis. There are several traditional/old wives' tales in the veterinary field including tying a string with Stockholm tar around a dog's neck to prevent Distemper. I think the farmer referred to may be lucky

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: GUEST,DT
Date: 28 Jan 16 - 05:12 AM

Running a black sheep with the flock is always popular round these yer parts..... Apparently it catches the diseases.

Subject: RE: Folklore: or myth? Donkey & cows 2 prevent TB??
From: Thompson
Date: 29 Jan 16 - 04:07 AM

Irish tradition is "always have a black sheep, but never buy one" - it's considered lucky to have a black lamb born in your flock, but unlucky to buy one. Possibly because they're a sport, so if you have a black lamb you probably have a big flock.
Goat's milk was always given to children with weak lungs here. And I remember seeing American survivalists posting on a maillist years ago that if you had trouble with poison ivy, you should get some goats to graze it down, and feed your family the milk, which would provide immunity to the poison ivy. Don't know if it's scientific, though!
Some farmers say that ticks choose donkeys over cattle, which might have TB implications if the donkeys are hardier and more resistant to TB - I mean, if the ticks are spreading the infection to cattle, but instead prey on the donkeys.