Ruminants

Liver Fluke in Cattle

Liver fluke in cattle continues to be a critical topic in India’s livestock sector, with research showing prevalence rates as high as 80%.

Liver fluke in cattle, or fasciolosis, is caused by the trematode parasite Fasciola hepatica. Fasciola hepatica not only impacts cattle but can also infect humans and various grazing animals. While all grazing species are susceptible, chronic liver fluke disease is most commonly observed in cattle and sheep, and it poses a significant threat to their health and productivity. Acute and subacute forms of the disease are more prevalent in sheep and camelids, often resulting in fatal outcomes.

Natliv, a natural liver tonic, is a safe and effective solution for prevention of liver fluke in cattle.

What is liver fluke in cattle?

Liver fluke in cattle is a flattened ovoid shaped parasite which colonises the liver especially in ruminants.

Economically significant infections affect cattle, sheep, alpacas, and llamas in three distinct forms:

Chronic – Rarely fatal in cattle but often deadly for sheep, alpacas, and llamas.
Subacute or acute – Primarily seen in sheep, alpacas, and llamas, with a high fatality rate.
Associated with black disease – Most common in sheep and typically fatal.

Epidemiology

Liver flukes in cattle (Fasciola hepatica) have a complex lifecycle that begins with adult flukes in the bile ducts of infected animals. These flukes lay eggs, which are excreted in the feces. Under favourable conditions—temperatures above 10°C and sufficient humidity—the eggs hatch into miracidia. These miracidia infect snails, where they undergo extensive multiplication, producing thousands of rediae and metacercariae.

The metacercariae exit the snails, attach to grass, and encyst to protect themselves from environmental challenges. Grazing cattle ingest these encysted metacercariae. In the host, the metacercariae uncoat in the stomach, penetrate the intestine, and travel via the bloodstream to the liver. Over about 10 weeks, the flukes migrate through the liver tissue, causing damage, before reaching the bile ducts to mature and restart the cycle.

Causes of Liver Flukes in Cattle

The causes of liver flukes in cattle are primarily tied to environmental and seasonal factors that influence the parasite’s lifecycle:

Weather Conditions:

Mild temperatures and above-average rainfall from August to October provide ideal conditions for liver fluke development in snails.
Rainfall between May and July promotes the spread of metacercariae on grass.

Pasture Contamination:

High incidence of liver flukes in the previous year increases contamination, as eggs and larvae persist in damp, muddy areas.
Damp, marshy environments favour the mud snail (Lymnaea truncatula), a crucial intermediate host.

Overwintering Mechanisms:

Liver flukes survive winter as adult parasites in animals or encysted metacercariae on grass or soil.

Seasonal Trends in Liver Fluke Infections

Infected animals released to graze in spring or early summer contaminate pastures with fluke eggs. As snails become infected, metacercariae accumulate on grass, peaking in late summer. Animals grazing on infested pastures ingest these metacercariae, with acute disease (most common in sheep) appearing in August or September. Subacute and chronic cases of liver flukes in cattle typically emerge from November to January.

Liver fluke in cattle symptoms

Liver fluke in cattle can present subtly, making early detection crucial to minimizing its impact. While liver fluke in cattle symptoms may not always be as obvious as in sheep, they significantly affect cattle health and productivity. Key symptoms of liver fluke in cattle include:

Reduced Liveweight Gains: Liver fluke disrupts feed conversion efficiency, leading to slower growth rates in affected cattle.
Lower Milk Yields: Infected dairy cattle often produce less milk, impacting farm profitability.
Fertility Issues: Liver fluke infections can cause reduced reproductive performance.
Anaemia: This manifests as pale mucous membranes in the eyes and mouth, often due to blood loss caused by the parasite.
Bottle Jaw: Fluid accumulation beneath the jaw, resembling “Timber Tongue,” though the tongue itself remains unaffected.
Diarrhoea: Digestive disruptions are common in infected cattle.
Severe Outcomes: In extreme cases, infections can lead to death. Additionally, liver fluke can complicate into Black Disease, caused by Clostridium novyi.

Hidden Impact

In many cases, liver fluke infections are only detected post-mortem at the abattoir, where livers are condemned due to the fibrous damage caused by flukes tunneling through the liver tissue. These lesions not only signify a health challenge but also result in economic losses for producers.

Early recognition of liver fluke in cattle symptoms and prompt treatment can protect livestock from severe complications and ensure optimal productivity. Regular monitoring and control strategies are essential to mitigating this silent yet impactful disease. Natliv, a phytogenic liver tonic is a must for your cattle for prevention of liver fluke in cattle.

How to test for liver fluke in cattle?

Clinical signs of liver fluke infestation may indicate the disease, but definitive diagnosis requires laboratory testing. False negatives can occur if animals are not shedding eggs or shedding intermittently, so a negative fecal egg count should not rule out fluke infestation.

Retrospective diagnosis can be done by measuring antibody levels in blood samples. Bulk milk antibody testing is also available to assess infection at the herd level. Consult your veterinarian for further details.

Liver fluke treatment in cattle

Prevention is crucial when addressing liver fluke in cattle, as this parasitic threat can significantly impact their health and productivity. Natliv offers a natural, effective solution designed to combat liver fluke while supporting overall liver health. This innovative tonic goes beyond prevention by enhancing the liver’s natural detoxification processes, ensuring optimal functionality and resilience. By integrating Natliv into cattle management practices, farmers can safeguard their animals’ well-being, improve productivity, and contribute to a sustainable approach to animal care.