Farm Animals

Cattle Welfare: Liver Fluke Control

Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) causes significant welfare losses in cattle through liver damage, reduced condition, and in heavy infections, death.

Key Facts

Liver fluke is endemic in wet, low-lying agricultural areas in the UK, Europe, and other temperate regions
Subclinical fluke infections cause production losses without obvious clinical signs, masking welfare impacts
Climate change is extending liver fluke habitat into previously unaffected upland areas
Strategic targeted treatment based on risk assessment reduces treatment frequency while maintaining welfare protection

Welfare Considerations

Liver fluke causes chronic suffering through liver damage, reduced nutrient absorption, and immune suppression in affected cattle. Prevention through pasture management and strategic treatment is achievable but requires accurate diagnosis and farm-specific risk assessment. Blanket treatment approaches contribute to anthelmintic resistance.

What You Can Do

Support cattle producers implementing risk-based fluke management programmes
Advocate for liver fluke monitoring to be included in cattle health and welfare programmes
Engage with research on integrated liver fluke management approaches that minimise anthelmintic use