The biology of fluke and their control in cattle

Abstract

Liver fluke have always been important trematode parasites of cattle in the UK and Ireland and recently they have been joined by the rumen fluke. As both parasites can share the same intermediate host, a mud snail, an epidemiological overlap exists. Although a degree of control of both fluke species can be achieved on some farms through exclusion from, or elimination of, snail habitats, most farmers rely on flukicides to control infection. A pivotal time for treating cattle is at or during housing and this can provide benefits to both infected animals in the short term and in the elimination of fluke egg-shedding in the long term.