Bovine fascioliasis with emphasis on Fasciola hepatica
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol47no2p124-133Keywords:
ruminant fascioliasis, bovine fascioliasis, Fasciola hepatica, liver flukes, albendazole, benzimidazoles, diagnosis, diagnostic techniques, drug combinations, fascioliasis, feed conversion efficiency, helminthoses, helminths, immune response, immunity, immunodiagnosis, infections, ivermectin, parasites, parasitoses, productivity, snail-borne diseases, trematode infections, vaccinationAbstract
Fasciola hepatica, the common liver fluke, is an economically important parasite of ruminants. Although infections in cattle are generally chronic and sub-clinical, the overall impacts on health and productivity can be significant, including decreased feed efficiency, weight gain, reproductive rates, immunity, immunodiagnostic tests, and responses to vaccinations. Acute infections can occur in cattle, but are more common in sheep. There are no pathognomonic signs of fascioliasis. Fecal examinations using sedimentation or filtration techniques remain the most commonly used diagnostic tools. In the United States, albendazole and a combined clorsulon/ivermectin formulation are the only currently approved products for treatment of liver flukes.
