LIVER-FLUKE IN SHEEP

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3495, 3 November 1926, Page 5

LIVER-FLUKE IN SHEEP

SYMPTOMS AND REMEDIES. (E. E. Elphick, M.R.C.V.S., in the N.Z. Journal of Agriculture.) The' following short description will bo useful to those shcepfarmcrs who are not familiar with the symptoms of liver-fluke. In the early stages (summer-time) the affected sheep arc likely to improve in condition. This is only temporary, however.’ In the autumn the animal goes off’its feed, stands apart from other sheep, does not appear so lively. and a loss of condition is noticeable. If examined, the membranes of the mouth and eyes ate pale, and the same condition can bo noticed in the skin. As (he winter advances, oedematous swellings may be noticed under the jaws and along the belly. This condition is not constant, however, and the sheep may die without it being apparent. The animal becomes feebler as the anaemia progresses, and finally dies. If the infestation has not been severe enough they may survive the winter, and. as the flukes are said to leave the animals in spring, the sheep may bo fattened sufficiently to got them off the place. Control .Measures. Treatment for expulsion of the fluke is satisfactory provided the infestation is not a heavy one. Efforts should bo directed to prevent a continuance of the lifc-cyclc. A remedy which has proved of value is a preparation of male fern. This is best given in the form of the extract. and should bo administered in a capsule. This preparation is often unstable, and a guarantee should be obtained, if possible, that the drug contains not loss than 20 per cent, filicinc, and 3.5 per cent, fllicicacid. The administration of a course of four doses of about 60 minims is recommended. The sheep should bo without food for twelve hours before the administration, and the course cover a period of about a week. Tbe sheep should be kept handy in a dry paddock away from water, so that the larvae may not have an opportunity of hatching from the. eggs. Where a flock is to bo treated, this should bo done about May, as the danger of fresh infection will probably bo over by that time. Individual sheep should bo cither treated for fluke or slaughtered before they become emaciated and unfit for food.

As previously stated, efforts should be directed to break, it possible, the life-cycle of the parasite, and this can most conveniently be done by destroying the snail, a native species, which is the intermediate host. Natural enemies of the snail, such as the frog, also the native swampbirds, might he encouraged, and carp or other fish of similar habit in larger standing areas of water. Where the snail is very much m evidence, however, it will be necessary to use drastic and quicker measures.' If an area is too large to deal with chemically, probably Die better plan would be to fence it off so that tho sheep may not graze upon it Such an area could bo used later in the season for topping off cattle or sheep which are intended for the meat-works. Any area that can bo conveniently drained should bo drained, and in any case it is desirable that the flow of water be centralised, thus draining the borders and reducing the area to be treated, and, of course, the cost.