COWS steering group members, farm vet Rob Howe, Moredun Research Institute principal research scientist Dr Dave Bartley and farm vet Anuschka Marsman, reflected on all aspects of lungworm disease on a recent webinar hosted by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA). This was held in conjunction with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the British Cattle Vet Association (BCVA). Nearly 300 people signed up to see the webinar.
Click here to view the webinar.
Outbreaks of lungworm in cattle, caused by the nematode Dictyocaulus viviparus, can be severe and difficult to predict. In the UK, lungworm disease has been increasing since 2009, due to climate change, possible anthelmintic failures and low vaccine use. Worryingly, cases are becoming more prevalent in older cattle as well as youngstock.
The epidemiology is complex and outbreaks are often unpredictable. There is a shift in a very prescriptive seasonality from late summer to disease now occurring for longer periods throughout the year, due to factors such as larvae surviving on pasture for longer, longer grazing seasons and changing management practices.
The announcement of the discontinuation of the Huskvac vaccine from the end of the 2027 season is a blow to UK cattle farmers and the possible effects of its demise was discussed.
Dave Bartley ran through the lungworm lifecycle, clinical signs of disease and changing epidemiology. He also emphasised the importance of animals attaining and maintaining immunity.
Rob Howe looked at lungworm from a vet’s viewpoint – looking at the diagnostic and monitoring options, highlighting that resistance to lungworm products exists, and outlining why Huskvac has such an important part to play in future sustainable lungworm control.
Anuschka Marsman talked about a study she carried out with 31 dairy farmers in South Wales, who were encouraged to vaccinate their calves and see the effect this had on dung beetles numbers found in dung pats. Huskvac users saw a massive reduction in wormer use, had the highest number of dung beetles and reduced their costs significantly.
COWS communications manager Sara Gregson finished the webinar off by explaining what COWS is and does, and the resources it holds on the sustainable control of endoparasites and ectoparasites in cattle.