Cattle Farming

Cattle Lungworm and Husk Welfare

Lungworm infestation causes severe respiratory disease in cattle, particularly in first-season grazers, requiring prevention through vaccination and monitoring.

Key Facts

Dictyocaulus viviparus causes verminous pneumonia in cattle grazing contaminated pasture
First-season grazing cattle are most susceptible as they lack protective immunity
Outbreaks cause paroxysmal coughing, rapid breathing, and death from respiratory failure
Oral vaccination given at housing provides immunity before the following grazing season
Anthelmintic treatment is effective but does not prevent inflammation from dying larvae

Welfare Considerations

Severe lungworm infestation causes breathlessness and respiratory distress that is acutely distressing. Outbreaks in naive cattle can kill significant numbers within days. Prevention through vaccination of naive cattle before the grazing season is effective and humane. Treatment of clinical cases requires both anthelmintics and supportive care for the inflammatory response from dying larvae.

What You Can Do

Support cattle health planning including lungworm risk assessment and vaccination
Advocate for lungworm vaccination of naive cattle as a welfare standard
Choose beef from farms with documented lungworm prevention programmes