Why are my cows coughing?

Although mature animals will have built up a natural immunity against lungworm, the parasite can cause reactionary symptoms in older cows whose natural immunity has weakened. This immunity requires constant ‘top up’ in the form of lungworm larvae on pasture. In dry conditions, pasture larvae levels are low and so exposure and immunity are reduced. If wet conditions follow we often see mature animals coughing due to reduced natural immunity.

Although mature animals will have built up a natural immunity against lungworm, the parasite can cause reactionary symptoms in older cows whose natural immunity has weakened. This immunity requires constant ‘top up’ in the form of lungworm larvae on pasture. In dry conditions, pasture larvae levels are low and so exposure and immunity are reduced. If wet conditions follow we often see mature animals coughing due to reduced natural immunity.