High risk of liver fluke due to mild winter
Warmer weather has allowed the internal parasites of cattle and sheep on pasture to survive for longer.
The risk of liver fluke remains high on UK farms - particularly in Scotland - after an unusually warm winter, according to the February forecast from Nadis.
Farmers are being warned that unless action is taken now, chronic liver fluke will be seen in flocks during late winter and early spring.
December was a record-breaking month, bringing unseasonably warm conditions to England and Wales, as well as very wet and windy weather with storms Desmond, Eva and Frank.
Nadis says this has allowed the internal parasites of cattle and sheep on pasture to survive for longer. The risk of liver fluke remains high, especially in Scotland, Wales and western England. More parasitic gastroenteritis is also being seen in lambs.
Farmers are being advised to check their sheep and beef cattle flocks now for chronic liver fluke. The first indication of a problem on the farm may be poor scanning results. 'Bottle jaw' is not seen in all sheep with fluke infestation.
Efforts must be made to ensure all sheep are drenched correctly and to reduce the reliance on triclabendazole through husbandry methods and use of other fasciolicides.
Closantel and nitroxynil are very effective against immature flukes (from seven weeks after infestation), Nadis says but care must be taken to ensure sheep are not overdosed. Sheep must be moved to clean pastures after treatment and supplementary feeding may be needed.
Albendazole and oxyclozanide are effective from 10-14 weeks after infestation and can be used to remove adult flukes in late spring (often May).
Finally, limiting pasture contamination with fluke eggs now is recommended for reducing the larval challenge during late summer/autumn this year.
Read the full forecast here: http://www.nadis.org.uk/parasite-forecast.aspx
RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence. 
