Farm Animals

Cattle Parasitic Gastroenteritis Welfare

Parasitic gastroenteritis caused by ostertagia and other nematodes is a major welfare problem in young cattle at pasture, causing weight loss, diarrhoea, and death in heavy burdens.

Key Facts

Ostertagia ostertagi is the economically most important cattle nematode globally
Type II ostertagiasis occurs when inhibited larvae emerge in spring causing severe disease
Refugia-based treatment strategies preserve anthelmintic efficacy for future control
Faecal egg counts guide treatment decisions rather than prophylactic blanket dosing
Young cattle in their first grazing season are most susceptible to clinical disease

Welfare Considerations

Heavy worm burdens cause prolonged suffering including severe diarrhoea, malnutrition, and death. Targeted treatment strategies prevent disease while preserving drug efficacy.

What You Can Do

Implement faecal egg count monitoring to guide targeted treatment
Work with your vet on a refugia-based parasite management plan
Avoid over-reliance on routine anthelmintic use that drives resistance
Monitor body condition scores in grazing youngstock as a welfare indicator