Florida had outbreaks of cattle ticks in the 1950's and in 1960. They experience a loss of appetite, constipation followed by diarrhea, and decreased milk production. Death usually comes within 3 or 4 days after fever develops. They also develop anemia and lose weight rapidly. The chronic form of the disease lasts for many weeks.
Some deaths occur, but most animals recover gradually.
Infected cattle frequently have relapses 3 to 6 weeks after their temperatures return to normal and become susceptible to other diseases or secondary infections. In winter, it may take as long as 90 days. Ticks' Life Cycle Cattle fever ticks spend the early part of their lives on the ground. The ticks must have blood from an animal host to complete their life cycles. Newly hatched seed ticks, or larvae, are barely visible to the unaided eye.