Animal Welfare Hub

Evidence-based resources for animal welfare

livestock

Lungworm (Husk) in Cattle: Welfare and Prevention

Bovine lungworm causes severe respiratory disease in cattle. This guide covers welfare impacts, recognition, and prevention strategies.

Key Facts

Lungworm (Dictyocaulus viviparus) infects cattle grazing contaminated pasture
Larvae migrate through the lungs causing pneumonia and severe respiratory distress
Young cattle in their first grazing season are most susceptible
An outbreak causes dramatic coughing in groups of animals simultaneously
Vaccination (Huskvac oral vaccine) provides good protection
Treatment with anthelmintics is effective but lung damage may persist

Welfare Considerations and Management

Lungworm outbreaks cause significant welfare impacts through respiratory distress, hypoxia, weight loss, and secondary bacterial pneumonia. Early treatment with appropriate anthelmintics reduces larval burden but cannot reverse established lung damage. Welfare monitoring during outbreaks includes respiratory rate assessment and prompt veterinary intervention. Vaccination before the grazing season prevents most disease.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate cattle with the oral lungworm vaccine before turnout
Monitor grazing cattle for coughing especially in late summer/autumn
Seek veterinary advice promptly if respiratory disease affects multiple animals
Maintain quarantine and anthelmintic treatment protocols for incoming stock