Liver Fluke

Liver fluke is a highly pathogenic flatworm parasite called Fasciola hepatica. Infected mud snails (Galba truncatula) shed liver fluke cysts onto pasture, where cattle graze, causing cow infections. Liver fluke can be an issue all year round, but the most problematic time is late summer and autumn, particularly in the wetter regions.

Preventing animals from becoming infected with fluke is vital, from both a welfare and economic point of view, with a case costing £192 from milk losses alone.

This dairy insight explores diagnoses, treatment, and prevention of liver fluke in dairy cows.

Issued October 2020

About Kingshay insight publications

insight publications replace the Farming Notes which have been produced by Kingshay since 1991, publishing on issues critical to the success of a modern dairy farm business. These briefings which now include dairy insight, business insight and research insight, provide dairy farmers, large animal vets, farm consultants and other interested parties with the most important and timely information in a concise two-page format. The information contained in our insight publications is written and updated by our experts to ensure accuracy and save you time.

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