Liver fluke 'remains a risk for cattle farmers'

Despite a relatively dry summer and early autumn, liver fluke infection remains a risk for cattle and sheep and farmers are being urged to remain vigilant for signs of disease and treat accordingly.

The NADIS Parasite Forecast predicts a low to normal liver fluke risk across most areas of the UK, but autumn rain could raise risk scores across much of the UK and in Scotland in particular.

Sioned Timothy, Ruminant Technical Manager for Merial Animal Health, sponsors of the NADIS Parasite Forecast, highlights the importance of assessing the risk to animals based on local conditions.

Sioned says: “One dry summer does not remove fluke, nor eliminate the very real risk of liver damage and its negative impact on production. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by the low risk scores this autumn. We advise farmers to assess the risk on their own farm and treat their cattle at housing if there is a likelihood of fluke infection picked up from pasture this summer."

In Scotland, where wetter summer weather has been more conducive to fluke development and there is a risk of acute or sub-acute fluke in sheep, farmers may need to dose flocks with an early flukicide such as triclabendazole.

In addition to assessing the risk posed by fluke this autumn, it is important that farmers remain vigilant of the potential for nematode challenge. Sioned says: “overstocked pastures, due to price challenges in the lamb market, have led to increased larval challenge, which in turn may increase the risk of clinical parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE).

“However, we do not advise a blanket pre-tupping treatment for breeding ewes due to the increased risk of wormer resistance. Anthelmintic treatments should be focused on leaner ewes, gimmers and individuals with dags.”

Rams should not be forgotten during autumn – a faecal worm egg count will determine the level of larval challenge and determine whether a pre-tupping wormer dose is required.

Cattle that have had their first or second season at pasture should be treated for gutworm at housing with a Group 1 or Group 3 anthelmintic.