Farmer survey aims to help researchers learn about lungworm outbreaks
A survey has launched for cattle farmers and vets to help researchers find out more about lungworm and its treatment across the UK.
Through the survey, the Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) group hopes to learn more about when outbreaks of lungworm are occurring.
It also seeks to understand what class of stock is most affected, what clinical signs are seen and how well they respond to treatment.
This will help researchers at COWS track lungworm cases throughout the 2024 grazing season.
In recent years, scientists have been aware of reports of suspected lack of efficacy of wormers to treat lungworm infections in cattle.
Helen Carty, veterinary centre manager for the SRUC explained: “But no-one is sure whether this due to growing resistance of lungworm to the wormers or is it solely down to poor administration, such as under-dosing or inappropriate timing?”
COWS has devised an online survey for vets to fill in and submit when they come across cases of lungworm.
The collated, anonymised data from the survey will be used to form the basis of future discussions around the issue.
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