Sheep and goats can be affected by more than one lungworm. The large lungworm Dictyocaulus filaria lives in the major airways, while the smaller Muellerius capillaris and Protostrongylus species sit deeper in the lung tissue and rely on slugs and snails as intermediate hosts.
Two patterns of disease
The large lungworm tends to cause obvious coughing and breathing difficulty, especially in lambs and kids. The small lungworms often cause quieter, low-grade lung damage that may go unnoticed until it shows up at slaughter or makes animals more vulnerable to secondary pneumonia.
Goats are not small sheep
Goats metabolise many wormers faster than sheep and frequently need different dosing. Never assume a sheep dose is correct for a goat — confirm with your vet.
Signs to watch for
- Coughing, particularly after being moved or gathered.
- Increased breathing effort and reduced exercise tolerance.
- Poor growth in lambs and kids, and a rough coat.
- Greater susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia.
Treatment
The large lungworm responds well to fenbendazole and the macrocyclic lactones. The small lungworms can be harder to clear and may need a tailored approach. Because resistance to wormers is a growing concern in small ruminants, your vet may recommend faecal testing and a planned, not routine, worming strategy.
Use the calculator for a fenbendazole estimate, choosing sheep or goat for the correct dosing band.
Treating a lungworm infection?
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