Baton Rouge, La - With pastures so wet and grass a little
short early in the growing season, producers should be watching for signs of
liver fluke infections, said David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program
livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
While rarely fatal in cattle, flukes can cause death in
small ruminants such as goat and sheep. Liver flukes reduce the value of a
carcass thus lowering prices producers receive, he added.
Liver flukes are flatworms that invade the liver of livestock
and cause liver damage. Liver flukes have a two-host life cycle. The eggs only
hatch in water, so in wet years like this one, there are more problems with
flukes, Fernandez said. The larvae infect a snail where they develop and
reproduce asexually. The larvae then exit the snail and encyst on nearby
vegetation. When livestock eat the vegetation, they become infected.
How to reduce
liver fluke infections:
·
Keep livestock out of areas where water
accumulates
·
Avoid pasturing animals in areas with snails in
the grass
·
Mow pastures to remove cysts as encysted fluke
larvae can remain viable for months if they do not dry out.
Treatment options
include: clorsulon, found in Ivomec Plus dewormer, and albendazole (Valbazen)
in the United States. Treat animals before the rainy seasons begin, such as
fall or late spring in Arkansas. This can help reduce the number of eggs laid
on pastures and reduce the chance of infection, said Dr. Fernandez. Be sure to
follow label instructions as Valbazen should not be given to pregnant animals.
Neither Valbazen nor Ivomec Plus is labeled for use in lactating animals. Both
have long withdrawal periods before slaughter.
For full detail, visit the Cattle
Network online.
Liver
fluke is caused by a parasite Fasciloa hepatica. Diagnosis of liver fluke is
often confused with other conditions such as poor nutrition. According to the Cattle Site,
All grazing cattle are susceptible to liver fluke, although wet areas hold
higher risk. Common symptoms include: condemnation of livers; reduced live
weight gains through reduced feed conversion efficiency; reduced milk yield;
reduced fertility; anemia; and diarrhea. Liver fluke is not infectious.
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