Farm Animals

Cattle Liver Fluke Welfare Impact and Control

The welfare impact of liver fluke infection in cattle and evidence-based control strategies.

Key Facts

Fasciolosis caused by liver fluke is a major welfare and production problem in wet regions
Acute fluke causes severe liver damage and sudden death in heavily infected animals
Chronic fluke causes reduced production, weight loss, and immune suppression
Pasture management and strategic treatment reduce fluke burden
Climate change is expanding the range and seasonality of liver fluke infection

Welfare Considerations

Liver fluke causes significant suffering ranging from acute death to chronic debilitation, and strategic control programmes prevent much of this preventable welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Advocate for liver fluke control as a welfare requirement in cattle health planning
Support development of sustainable fluke control strategies
Encourage farmers to use faecal egg counting to monitor fluke burden and target treatment