Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Liver Fluke Climate Welfare

Fasciola hepatica liver fluke is expanding into new areas as climate change creates favorable conditions, increasing the welfare burden on sheep.

Key Facts

Liver fluke causes acute disease causing mass deaths and chronic disease causing production loss
Warm wet autumns create ideal conditions for the mud snail intermediate host
Anthelmintic resistance to triclabendazole is emerging in fluke populations
Strategic treatment based on risk modeling reduces unnecessary dosing
Drainage improvement reduces habitat for mud snail intermediate host

Welfare Considerations

Acute liver fluke disease causes severe hemorrhage, pain, and rapid death. Chronic fluke causes wasting and immune suppression. As climate change expands fluke habitat, more sheep will be at risk without adaptation of management strategies.

What You Can Do

Work with a veterinary advisor to develop a farm-specific fluke risk management plan
Support climate-resilient farming systems that reduce parasitic disease vulnerability
Monitor fluke risk forecasts from veterinary advisory services in your region