Sheep Farming

Sheep Liver Fluke Advanced Management

Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) causes significant welfare and production losses in sheep, requiring strategic management combining treatment and risk factor control.

Key Facts

Acute liver fluke disease from massive early-stage infection can kill sheep within weeks
Chronic fluke causes anaemia, bottle jaw, and progressive weight loss over months
Triclabendazole resistance is increasing in some UK fluke populations
Pasture management including avoiding wet areas reduces snail host populations
Annual liver fluke forecasting from NADIS uses weather data to predict risk levels

Welfare Considerations

Acute fasciolosis causes massive liver haemorrhage and rapid death with significant suffering. Chronic fluke causes prolonged weakness, anaemia, and weight loss that progressively impairs welfare. The welfare case for strategic control through risk assessment, targeted treatment, and pasture management is strong. Resistance management is both a welfare and economic necessity - maintaining effective treatments requires reducing unnecessary anthelmintic use.

What You Can Do

Use annual NADIS liver fluke forecasts to plan strategic treatment timing
Advocate for fluke monitoring and strategic control in sheep welfare guidelines
Choose lamb from farms with documented liver fluke management programmes