Merial Press Release - Liver fluke is spreading eastwards say vets

Liver fluke is spreading eastwards say vets

Increasing numbers of vets in the east of Britain report that they are seeing more cases of liver fluke than ever before. A survey conducted by Merial Animal Health among vets dealing with cattle in the east of England and Scotland, revealed that 90% either strongly agreed or agreed with the statement: ‘We are seeing more cases of liver fluke through this practice now than we did in the past’. One vet noted that he had dealt with 36 new cases through his practice alone.

90% also either strongly agreed or agreed with the statement: ‘Liver fluke is now a problem on the east of the country as well as the west.’

Fiona MacGillivray MRCVS, Veterinary Adviser with Merial Animal Health, said: “This survey bears out what we have been hearing for some time. The incidence of liver fluke in cattle has significantly increased in the east and fluke can no longer simply be considered a problem of the wet west. Many of these practices had never had to deal with fluke until a few years ago but now it is a significant issue.

Of those vets surveyed, 65% strongly agreed and a further 20% agreed that ‘Liver fluke has a significant impact on the health, performance and productivity of infected cattle.’ One vet noted that he had witnessed cattle deaths as a result of fluke and another noted that he was extremely concerned about the impact of fluke on the health and performance of cattle seen by his practice. 

Fiona MacGillivray says “At worst fluke can cause the death of affected animals, at best and more commonly, fluke do not cause overt clinical symptoms in cattle but significantly impair their performance.  Indeed, fluke can reduce cattle liveweight gain by up to 1.2 kg per week1 and add anything up to an extra 80 days to finishing.  As a result, fluke infection is a very costly problem but in the east of the country farmers may not be aware of how much of a threat it is because they have not had to deal with it before.”

“Not only is fluke increasing and spreading across the country, it is also becoming much more of a year-round issue. Where the parasite used to be much more of a concern during the autumn and winter, it is now also having a real effect during the spring and summer too.”

In terms of treatment, a fluke dose given 8 – 10 weeks after turnout will minimise pasture contamination from fluke eggs, ensure maximum growth from grass and reduce the risk of fluke infection later in the year.

Farmers can either choose a straight fluke product such as Trodax®, which can be given alongside an existing planned wormer treatment, or alternatively a combination endectocide such as Ivomec® Super can be used. Not only does Ivomec® Super control fluke, it also has the advantage of providing persistent protection against roundworms so, in effect, can be used to replace an existing worm treatment in a strategic control programme. Both Trodax® and Ivomec® Super have been successfully used on farm for more than 20 years and neither product is affected by rainfall, which is important when we are faced with increasingly wet summers.

-Ends-
Notes to Editors:

1. Johnson EG, Agri-practice 1991. 

Ivomec Super injection for cattle contains ivermectin and clorsulon. Trodax 34% w/v solution for injection contains nitroxynil.  Ivomec® and Trodax® are registered trademarks of Merial Ltd. ©Merial Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.  Legal category POM-VPS. For further information contact Merial Animal Health Ltd CM19 5TG, or call the Merial Customer Support Centre on 0800 592699. Advice on the use of these or alternative medicines must be sought from the medicine prescriber.

The survey was conducted between 19th and 21st May 2010 among 20 cattle vets based in the east of England and Scotland.

For more information:

Peter Crowe, Chamberlain
[email protected]
01223 884600
m: 07967 504034

Mark Debenham, Chamberlain
[email protected]
01223 884600