Lungworm on outwintered yearlings

[bovine]

We have just had a group of outwintered heifers go down with lungworm. They are on grass and bales, started coughing over new year. We have treated with ivormectin immediately and so far they are not getting worse.

1. was the infection confirmed by testing?
2. generally with significant lungworm, when you treat the animals cough more as the worms die and cause local reaction. They can even die as a result of the large number of killed worms.
3. lots of pneumonia about caused by viruses and bacteria...........

 

[Cows 'n grass]

lots of pneumonia about caused by viruses and bacteria...........

Not just in cattle. I've been coughing for a month now, it's only in the last few days that it's started to get better.

 

[Courier]

And don't get complacent thinking that just because you used Dictol or Huskvac or whatever it is called nowadays that your cattle are immune - they are not . The immunity created from an actual lungworm infection which is then "cured" by treatment with an effective wormer is far superior [emoji6]

 

[farmer on a bike]

1. was the infection confirmed by testing?
2. generally with significant lungworm, when you treat the animals cough more as the worms die and cause local reaction. They can even die as a result of the large number of killed worms.
3. lots of pneumonia about caused by viruses and bacteria...........

1. No, but we had another group with identical symptoms in August, this was confirmed by a vet visit, diagnosis caused us to delay treatment a couple of days.
2. I agree, that did happen to the first group, this group we are hoping we have caught quicker.
3. Pneumonia seems unlikely in out wintered stock, unless caused by something else. We will keep watching, it is early days.

I would add that we use workers in a 3-8-13 regime and after that only if we are fairly sure they are required. I am concerned about immunity to woormers being caused by any actions we take.

 

[buffalo_soldier]

I would add that we use workers in a 3-8-13 regime and after that only if we are fairly sure they are required. I am concerned about immunity to workers being caused by any actions we take.

I must be being daft, what does this bit mean?

 

[Thick Farmer]

You are the perfect example of why these medicines need to be prescription only. Look at the mess sheep farmers and SQPs have created with sheep worm resistance. Cattle worms will follow if you use drugs like you are. I expect you not to listen to me and carry on in your misguided way.

First time I've been called the perfect example of anything!
I'm glad your method works for you and your clients, but I work along the principle that prevention is better than cure.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

I must be being daft, what does this bit mean?

I'm guessing it should say wormers not workers but my autocorrect changes one to the other.

We have a similar working policy worming heifers 3 weeks after they go out then 5 weeks later (week 8) and 5 weeks after that ( week 13). I think it's a bit old fashioned now and we should be doing more FEC but we have multiple groups when they're small and falling behind on working can set them back so quickly.

We do a couple of FEC for our second year heifers but haven't wormed any of them for years.

 

[farmer on a bike]

I must be being daft, what does this bit mean?

Bloody autocorrect changed wormer to worker

 

[Devon lad]

had the vet out today and they said they were fine and to keep an eye on them, possibly a virus. No coughing as a group and temperatures all ok on a suspect few. Guess it's just one of those things.

 

[More to life]

In terms of worming this years dec Jan calves turned out in May wormed June just been wormed for a second time in Dec. Frist time I've done this, they have looked well all summer.

 

[Courier]

had the vet out today and they said they were fine and to keep an eye on them, possibly a virus. No coughing as a group and temperatures all ok on a suspect few. Guess it's just one of those things.

Way back in '83 we had our vet and then the ministry vet out to milking cows coughing in June and we were told not to worry by both vets " it was probably a virus " .

Well after the 1st post mortem massive lungworm infection was confirmed and we immediately injected the whole herd with levamisole ( only 12 hour withdrawal then so treated after an early afternoon milking and didn't have to dispose of milk) .

The treatment then caused extra coughing and the collecting yard floor was covered in saliva deposits laden with dying lungworms. ... lost 20% of the herd and even more yield.

Qualified Experts !!!!!! But willing to lie to their insurance companies to save their own skin.

 

[Sid]

We have had two recents cases. One was in vaccinated ys have since ditched the vaccine and gone to a clean grazing regime that works well. Second was in old cows bought in and picked it up in the dry period.
Both ended up with dead stock.

 

[bovine]

We have had two recents cases. One was in vaccinated ys have since ditched the vaccine and gone to a clean

Clean grazing for lungworm? Not possible. The vaccine is generally very good and effective, although continued protection requires exposure to lungworm (another reason not to over use wormers).

I would encourage any of you treating at more 'unusual' times to collect a faecal sample and get it checked for larvae - even if you go on and treat them anyway.

Also - I wouldn't recommend levamisole as treatment, only kills adults and not the larvae.

 

[Courier]

I wouldn't recommend levamisole as treatment, only kills adults and not the larvae.

But as "fire engine"treatment it was the fastest available in 1983

 

[O'Reilly]

Clean grazing for lungworm? Not possible. The vaccine is generally very good and effective, although continued protection requires exposure to lungworm (another reason not to over use wormers).

I would encourage any of you treating at more 'unusual' times to collect a faecal sample and get it checked for larvae - even if you go on and treat them anyway.

Also - I wouldn't recommend levamisole as treatment, only kills adults and not the larvae.

I think it is right that you cannot get clean grazing, as it spreads on the wind.

 

[Courier]

I would encourage any of you treating at more 'unusual' times to collect a faecal sample and get it checked for larvae - even if you go on and treat them anyway.

.

Faecal counts taken of our herd In 1983 were inconclusive - perhaps interpretation has much improved over the years.

 

[bovine]

Faecal counts taken of our herd In 1983 were inconclusive - perhaps interpretation has much improved over the years.

You can't do an egg count for lungworm, you do a special larval hatch test that takes 24 hours.

 

[Courier]

You can't do an egg count for lungworm, you do a special larval hatch test that takes 24 hours.

Should vets have known that in '83. And if so was it practical?

 

[Sid]

Clean grazing for lungworm? Not possible. The vaccine is generally very good and effective, although continued protection requires exposure to lungworm (another reason not to over use wormers).

I would encourage any of you treating at more 'unusual' times to collect a faecal sample and get it checked for larvae - even if you go on and treat them anyway.

Also - I wouldn't recommend levamisole as treatment, only kills adults and not the larvae.

Well the clean grazing allows us to not use wormers! Contradicting yourself?

The vaccine was totally ineffective. We lost stock due to the quicknessof the infection Vaccine company said we didn't store it properly...easy get out clause!
We done as advise by our vet who knows our situation. We watch carefully in any wet periods after turn out and strategically treat.