How to diagnose liver fluke in cows

Liver fluke is estimated to cost the UK cattle industry around £23 million annually, and before herds get turned out onto fresh pasture it’s important to assess the risk.

Vet Iain McCormick, of Galedin Vets, shares his advice for preventing liver fluke at turnout.

“Following wet and mild weather we often see the incidence of liver fluke increase, so it is essential you know how to spot it and prevent it.

Liver fluke eggs hatch in damp, warm conditions so cattle grazing in wet areas with soil temperatures above 10 degrees are at higher risk.

The infective stages pass through tiny mud snails, emerging to climb up the grass ready to infect grazing cattle. Cattle grazing near snail habitats such as the edge of streams and rivers, and even muddy tractor ruts, are therefore at highest risk."

“If your cattle are at risk, you should test your herd by using faecal egg counts or ELISA tests in conjunction with abattoir feedback to spot any signs of liver fluke being present.

If liver fluke is found, cattle should be treated appropriately and moved to less risky pasture,” says Iain.

Spotting liver fluke

Iain explains symptoms of liver fluke are often not recognised as easily in cattle as they are in sheep.

“Symptoms of liver fluke in cattle can often be misdiagnosed and neither cattle nor sheep develop immunity to liver fluke, so it’s important to control infection in all ages of stock.

To do this effectively you should discuss treatment options with your vet and develop an integrated farm approach to parasite control as part of your wider herd health plan,” says
Iain.

For more information about liver fluke and to view the NADIS parasite forecast visit: www.nadis.org.uk/parasite-forecast

Signs of liver fluke

• Reduced milk yields
• Anaemia
• Loss of body condition
• Increased susceptibility to other infections

Diagnosing liver fluke