Fluke in Cattle

Update - Treatments

December 2008

Liver fluke disease remains a serious threat, with deaths due to acute disease, and ill thrift and poor production due to chronic disease.  Conditions through the summer and autumn have remained very good for fluke and snail development.  It is expected that infected pastures will remain a risk until the end of December, allowing acute fluke infections to continue into next year. 

We advise treating stock now.  Housed cattle, which have been in for at least 4 weeks can be treated with an Injectable such as “Closamectin” (Fluke and wormer).  Outwintered cattle should also be treated, preferably with a product which is affective against immature fluke e.g. “Tribex” or “Triclafas”.  Treatment may need to be repeated 4 to 6 weeks later.   Sheep should be treated with a product affective against immature fluke as well e.g. “Tribex” or “Triclafas”. 

If you would like to discuss this further as part of your on going Animal Health Plan please contact the Office. 

October 2008

As you will be well aware this year has been very warm and wet so far and thus the risk of Liver Fluke disease is high.  Fluke burdens can significantly reduce growth rates of both lambs and calves but can also affect fertility and milk yields of adults. 

Incidence of Fluke in dairy cattle has been high and we can check your herd cheaply with a bulk milk test.  Beef cattle and sheep can be checked by blood sampling or faecal egg counts.  If you wish to investigate a problem in your herd or flock as part of your on going Animal Health Plan, please contact the Office. 

It is too early to treat cattle which will be housed during the winter.  Depending on the product used usually 4 to 6 weeks after housing is the optimum time to treat.  This allows most of the immature stages of fluke to become adults and most products are better able to kill adult stages of fluke. 

“Closamectin” (Ivermectin and Closantel) is a relatively new product which is an effective treatment for Fluke and Worms.  It is in an Injectable form for cattle.  Two 500ml packs with a free gun are available from the Practice.  The dose is 1ml per 25Kg, we recommend weighing cattle to ensure the correct dose.  Over dosing is costly and under dosing is ineffective and will lead to resistance.