Question of the Day

Treat the entire group with an appropriate anthelmintic for this lungworm infection (verminous pneumonia)  caused by Dictyocaulus viviparous. Seen mostly in yearlings on pasture in the summer and fall, the primary clinical sign is coughing.

Those not showing clinical signs may still be subclinically infected and benefit from treatment. Products used to treat lungworms also impact GI nematodes, so treating an entire group will impact gastrointestinal nematode refugia and anthelminitic resistance. This should be factored into your treatment decisions.

Diagnosis is by finding larvae (not eggs) in feces or adult worms in the airways on necropsy.

4-Ipomeanol toxicity from moldy sweet potatoes or Perilla mint can present similarly but necropsy shows pulmonary edema and emphysema.