Farmers mustn’t ‘drop their guard’ with liver fluke – SCOPS and COWS

Livestock farmers should not “drop their guard” in terms of liver fluke, specialists from the Sustainable Management of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Management of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS) have warned.

The organisations have stated that, as forecast, instances of illness attributable to liver fluke have remained low thus far, however that there are experiences of each acute and continual illness in some areas of the UK.

Philip Skuce of Moredun, who sits on each SCOPS and COWS, stated that testing is essential to verify farmers don’t deal with too quickly, or unnecessarily, or get caught out and miss a significant remedy.

“The chilly snap in December is not going to have killed off all of the liver fluke on pasture, so animals might nonetheless be selecting up an infection that might go on to trigger illness,” he stated.

 “Livestock farmers should proceed to check if they’re to make sure any remedy is each obligatory and given on the proper time and with essentially the most acceptable product.”

Diagnostic experiences from the Animal and Plant Well being Company (APHA) and Scotland’s Rural School (SRUC) underline the worth of utilizing blood testing for fluke in sentinel lambs or calves, SCOPS and COWS stated.

Heather Stevenson, a vet with SRUC, stated that lower than one % of the animals examined in September and October 2022 have been optimistic, which exhibits that almost all of farms didn’t must deal with at that stage.

“This rose to 10% by mid-November and 13% in December, which continues to be a small proportion of farms and highlights the potential to deal with unnecessarily or too early if conventional timings are adopted,” she stated.

“In January, 30% of samples examined for coproantigen (a faecal take a look at) have been optimistic, which underlines the necessity to maintain checking sheep that haven’t but been handled.”

John Graham-Brown of the College of Liverpool stated that repeat testing till the danger interval is over is important in controlling illness.

“A destructive take a look at doesn’t imply you’ll be able to sit again and loosen up. Plan to repeat assessments in three to 4 weeks’ time to be sure to don’t get caught out,” he stated.

SCOPS and COWS stated that now is an efficient time for housed cattle to be examined for fluke utilizing a composite dung take a look at to verify for fluke eggs.

If cattle are optimistic, they stated, selecting a remedy that targets grownup fluke and avoiding merchandise containing triclabendazole will scale back resistance choice pressures on the parasite.