Liver fluke causes significant suffering and economic loss in cattle and sheep worldwide. The relationship between parasite burden and animal welfare illustrates how disease management is a core welfare concern.
Liver fluke causes genuine and significant animal suffering. Acute fasciolosis from heavy fluke burdens causes haemorrhagic liver damage, anaemia, and in severe cases death within weeks. Chronic fluke infection is more insidious but causes persistent pain, malaise, and debilitation as the liver is progressively damaged. Affected animals show reduced appetite, weight loss, and compromised immune function making them susceptible to secondary infections. The welfare burden of parasitic disease in grazing livestock is often underappreciated compared to more visible welfare issues. Good flock and herd health management including strategic anthelmintic use, pasture management, and drainage of wet areas protects animal welfare as a core responsibility of livestock keepers.