Where the cattle are out-wintered, for example suckler cows, they should be treated twice. Flukicides are effective against immature and adult fluke.Īdvice for farmers on flukicide usage, particularly with regard to frequency, should take account of the previous farm history, results of abattoir returns, if they are available, and faecal monitoring, tempered with the knowledge that triclabendazole-resistant flukes have been recorded in the UK and Eire.
Liver fluke how to#
How to treat it?Ī number of products are available for treating fluke in cattle. Monitoring the levels of infection in sheep and cattle using fluke egg counts, abattoir returns and veterinary investigation of ill-thrifty animals is an essential part of successful control. He also says that an appropriate anthelmintic (worming) regime should be used, ensuring products used target eggs, immature and adult fluke and are combined in a programme which mininises wormer resistance.Ĭontrol of liver fluke disease should be an important part of a farm health plan drawn up with the farmer's local veterinary surgeon.
If possible keep cattle from grazing on wet areas such as pond margins, river banks and marshy ground. How to prevent it?ĭr Phil Hadley from Eblex believes that prevention through pasture rotation is effective against fluke, as this prevents cattle grazing the snail habitat. Mild temperatures and above average rainfall provide optimum conditions for fluke development. Once inside cattle, metacercaiae migrate through the gut wall, cross the peritoneum and penetrate the liver capsule and bile ducts.Īn adult fluke can be up to 3cm long and can survive in cattle anything between six months to two years. These are then reingested by the final host, completing the life cycle. These miracidia have a short lifespan and must come into contact with the host (snail) within three hours.ĭevelopment of the parasite continues in infected snails, until cercaria are shed from the snail as motile forms and attach themselves to firm surfaces, such as grass blades, where they become the infective metacercariae. Fluke eggs, which are passed in the faeces of a mammalian host, develop and hatch into motile ciliated miracidia - a process which takes nine days at the optimal temperature of 22 to 26 o. Liver fluke is caused by a parasite Fasciloa hepatica. It is therefore important that if any of the above symptoms are noticed, a vet is contacted.
If producers are not normally affected they may not recognise the signs or treat routinely.
EBLEX suggests that liver fluke is often confused with poor nutrition, Johne's disease, salmonellosis or parasitic gastroenteritis. Depending on the level of infection, liver fluke could cost producers between £20-25 per head.ĭiagnosis of liver fluke is not simple. Youngstock tend to be more susceptible to fluke, however adult cattle do still suffer from the disease.
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