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Farmers advised to test for liver fluke before treating
“Reports from around the UK suggest that, as predicted, there has been a low challenge from liver fluke this winter."
Very dry summer prompts lower than normal fluke challenge 

Farmers are being advised to test sheep and cattle for liver fluke to determine if treatment is needed, as the number of fluke incidents has been much lower than in previous years.

A very dry summer in 2018, followed by winter conditions that kept fluke levels low, has resulted in very few reports of losses from acute fluke disease and lower than normal incidents of disease due to chronic fluke infections.

Lesley Stubbings, of the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group, said: “Reports from around the UK suggest that, as predicted, there has been a low challenge from liver fluke this winter.

“However, experts from around the country agree the key action this spring is to test to see if there are adult fluke present. If they are, treatment is needed to minimise the number of liver fluke eggs deposited on pastures this spring and reduce infection levels later in the summer.”

Diana Williams, from the University of Liverpool, said that while the liver fluke challenge was lower than normal last autumn, it is not safe to assume that treatment will be unnecessary this spring.

“Pockets of fluke still exist even in a drought, because stock will tend to graze fresh grass around wetter parts of fields, water courses and ditches,” she added. “These areas are where snails and, therefore, liver fluke larvae are also likely to be concentrated and why it is important to consider testing stock now, before turnout.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.