Current Parasite Warnings in Farm Animals

We are seeing an increase in the number of cases that are being seen with high burdens of parasites.

Fluke, otherwise known as Fasciola Hepatica, is a parasite which inhabits the liver of cattle and sheep. It lives in and develops in mud snails when on pasture; the juvenile stage is then ingested by a grazing cow or sheep. To develop in snails it requires warm wet summers. This summer has been very wet and warm meaning there is a high risk of fluke at the moment across Scotland and North England. Signs to look out for a condemnation of liver at slaughter, poor weight gain, reduced milk yield, reduced fertility, oedema (fluid build-up) under the jaw, diarrhoea, general dullness and it can eventually lead to death. If you are worried about fluke give one of the dedicated large animal vets a ring to discuss treatment options and how to manage fluke on your farm. It is important to keep cattle and sheep off very wet pastures at this time of year as they will have high contamination with fluke, especially if that pasture has had infested sheep or cattle grazing on it previously.

Lungworm is also at high risk at the moment following the wet weather we have been having. The animals to keep an eye on are youngstock on their first grazing season and bought in animals that have come from a farm free of disease. Signs to look out for are coughing in groups of cattle, increased respiratory rate, difficulty breathing, weight loss, reduced milk production and sudden death in cases with a high burden. If you are worried about lungworm on your farm, one of our dedicated large animal vets will be able to discuss treatment and prevention.

Cattle

There is an increased risk of Ostertagiasis type 1 and type 2 at this time of year in young cattle. Type 1 is seen in susceptible calves and yearlings in late summer and early autumn, it can be seen as a loss of appetite with profuse, bad-smelling, green diarrhoea. Type 2 is usually seen later in autumn going into winter, affected cattle have profuse unresponsive diarrhoea. If you are worried about roundworms on your farm, one of our dedicated large animal vets will be able to discuss treatment and prevention.