THE NEWSLETTER OF BEESTON ANIMAL HEALTH

NOVEMBER 2020

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BEESTON ANIMAL HEALTH LTDBEESTON ANIMAL HEALTH LTD BEESTON ANIMAL HEALTH LTDBEESTON ANIMAL HEALTH LTDWhitchurch Road, Beeston Castle,

Tarporley CW6 9NJ

Telephone 01829 261361

WVH3812

BEESTON ANIMAL HEALTH LTDBEESTON ANIMAL HEALTH LTD

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Monday to Friday. Please phone for advice and orders before 10.30am for same day delivery.

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LIVER FLUKEIt is now time for you to review your liver fluke control measures on your farm as this forms an important part of your animal health plan. Now is the ideal time to consult your vet or SQP to form a control plan - this will help to prevent liver fluke disease this autumn, whilst also ensuring herd/flock profitability and animal welfare.

The liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, is a highly pathogenic flatworm parasite of ruminants, mainly sheep and cattle. It causes severe liver damage, especially in sheep and can result in the sudden death of previously healthy animals. The disease is also responsible for considerable economic losses, estimated at ~£50m in Scotland alone, due to direct production losses, poor reproductive performance and livers condemned at slaughter. The disease appears to be on the increase in the UK and spreading into previously fluke-free areas, possibly as a result of recent climate change (milder winters and wetter summers) favouring the parasite and its mud snail intermediate host.Control of fluke has historically involved the strategic application of flukicidal drugs; however, this approach is not thought to be sustainable in the face of increasing reports of flukicide resistance. Diagnosis of fluke is also not straightforward. Faecal egg counting is not a reliable indicator of infection and immunological tests do not discriminate between current and previous infections. Also, there is no vaccine available against fluke.

MONITORING TOOLSIt is important to understand what tests are available, when you might use them, and what each tells you about fluke infection status of your animals.

• Faecal Egg Count (FEC) - most widely used diagnostic test, easy sample to take cheap and straightforward to perform. Unfortunately, FEC can only detect the presence of adult, egg-laying fluke, which will be at least 10-12 weeks old. Works well as a composite (or mob from 12 animals in the group) test, especially useful for monitoring, but individual FEC provides more information.

• Coproantigen ELISA - this is a lab-based test that can detect a fluke secreation (antigen) in the host animal’s faeces, so same sampling strategy as above. ELISA is more sensitive than FEC and can detect infection a few weeks earlier. Only works on individual animals, composite (or mob) samples not recommended.

• Blood test - this is invasive and requires a vet to take the sample, but is the earliest indication of fluke infection, animals going positive (seroconverting) within 2 weeks of infection. Antibodies can persist in older animals and even after successful treatment. Blood testing of sentinel lambs is a very useful indication of fluke burden in any given season, it is also very useful to detect when the fluke challenge starts for any group, thus preventing wasted treatments in advance of any fluke infection.

• Post mortem - or abattoir inspection of the livers for signs of historic and/or active fluke provides unequivocal evidence of fluke infection in your stock, so always investigate fallen stock and ask for abattoir returns, as this represents invaluable diagnostic information.

EFFICACY TESTINGFluke Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) - Typically comparing FEC on the day of treatment with the FEC from the same animals 21 days later. NADIS publishes a monthly Parasite Forecast for farmers and livestock keepers, based on detailed Met Office data. The Parasite Forecast outlines the parasitic challenge facing cattle and sheep in the different UK regions.The main risk factors for liver fluke are the presence of perfect mud snail habitats on the farm, such as grazing with access to streams and pond edges, leaking water troughs, poorly drained fields and areas of wet, poached mud. Climate conditions which favour the survival and reproduction of the intermediate host, the mud snail, include a mild and wet autumn which we are currently experiencing. Local factors must be taken into account when considering on farm risk to liver fluke. Development of liver fluke and its intermediate host, the mud snail (Galba truncatula) on pasture is dependent upon temperature and rainfall with warm wet conditions optimal. However on farms with permanently wet areas and/or permanent water bodies, snails can still thrive in hot weather. Continued vigilance for signs of disease and on farm contingency plans in the event of an outbreak are of great importance at this time of year.

In the meantime, below is a brief summary of some sheep products to treat just liver fluke and fluke / worm combinations.

FASINEX 5% Drench, (Contains Triclabendazole) (FLUKE ONLY) for the treatment and control of liver fluke, killing all stages down to 2 day old immature forms.

56 days meat withdrawal period.

TRICLAFAS 5% Drench, (Contains Triclabendazole) (FLUKE ONLY) for the treatment and control of liver fluke, killing all stages down to 2 day old immature forms.

56 days meat withdrawal period.

FLUKIVER Drench, (Contains Closantel) (FLUKE & HAEMONCHUS gutworm) Flukiver is active against mature and immature flukes (6-8 weeks immature stage, 91-95% kill) For the control of inhibited, immature and adult stages of Haemonchus.

42 day meat withdrawal period.

SOLANTEL (Contains Closantel) (FLUKE & HAEMONCHUS gutworm) Flukiver is active against mature and immature flukes. (6-8 weeks immature stage, 91-95% kill) For the control of inhibited, immature and adult stages of Haemonchus.

42 day meat withdrawal period.

TRODAX Injection, (Contains Nitroxynil) (FLUKE ONLY) for treatment of liver fluke disease (caused by infestations of mature and immature Fasciola hepatia)

Sheep meat withdrawal period is 49 days from last treatment

CLOSAMECTIN injection (Contains Closantel & Ivermectin) (FLUKE & WORMS) For the treatment of mixed trematode (fluke) and nematode or arthropod infestations due to gastrointestinal roundworms, trematodes, lungworms, nasel bots and mites of sheep.

Meat withdrawal period for sheep is 28 days.

FASIMEC DUO Drench, (Contains Ivermectin & Triclabendazole) (FLUKE & WORMS) for the treatment and control of roundworms, lungworm, and liver fluke from early immature to adult forms.

27 days meat withdrawal period.

COMBINEX SHEEP Drench, (Contains Levamisole & Triclabendazole) (FLUKE & WORMS) for the treatment and control of roundworms, lungworm, and liver fluke from 2 day old early immature to adult forms.

56 days meat withdrawal period.

CYDECTIN TRICLAMOX Drench, (Contains Moxidectin & Triclabendazole) (FLUKE & WORMS) for the treatment of mixed nematode and fluke infections in sheep.

Meat withdrawal period is 31 days.

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SHEEPFLUKE CONTROLLiver fluke disease can be largely controlled by effective drugs administered at the correct time as directed by your Vet or SQP as part of the flock health plan. However, evasion strategies should also be adopted wherever possible by not grazing potentially contaminated, poorly drained areas from late August onwards.

SIGNS OF LIVER FLUKE DISEASE Sheep are particularly susceptible to acute fluke disease, caused by mass migration of immature fluke through the liver.

Sheep with acute fluke infestation may simply be found dead without prior signs of illness, therefore it is important to have all sudden deaths investigated to allow immediate preventive measures to be implemented. Post-mortem examination is essential to establish diagnosis of acute fluke. Less severe clinical signs include reduced grazing, rapid weight loss, abdominal pain, anaemia, and being slow to gather. You may also see more sudden deaths due to the increased risk of Clostridial disease.

Action… Tricabendazole (Fasinex 5%, Triclafas 5%) is the only flukicide effective against very young immature flukes; repeat treatment will likely be necessary four to six weeks later. Where flukicide treatment is necessary, sheep should be moved from these infested pastures. The coproantigen ELISA test can be used to detect Triclabendazole resistance two to three weeks after dosing so best practice is to contact your vet for further advice where such drug resistance is suspected.

Later fluke treatments (January onwards), depending on the weather ,and most importantly temperature, could include either active ingredients Closantel (Closamectin (fluke & worm), Flukiver or Solantel or Nitroxynil (Trodax) especially when Triclabendazole resistance is suspected/proven on the farm.

Fluke treatments should be based on farm/seasonal risk and outlined as part of a parasite control strategy within individual farm health plans. As above Triclabendazole is the only product effective against early immature stages, it is still the drug of choice for autumn treatment.

It is also important to adopt the SCOPS principle on narrow-spectrum products - combination fluke treatments/wormers should only be used if faecal egg counts demonstrate the need for concurrent roundworm treatment.

For those of you considering a dosing regime for worms and fluke this autumn please contact Mark at Beeston, who will advise you on the following products, and what’s best for you.

CATTLEFLUKE CONTROLCLINICAL SIGNSChronic fluke, the form usually seen in cattle, is caused by a build-up of adult fluke in the bile ducts and can cause anaemia, reduced live-weight gain and poor reproductive performance in older animals later in the year.

Fluke control in cattle requires both management changes and the use of a flukicide treatment. The control required will depend on prevailing weather, individual farm conditions and varies year to year so best practice is to consult your vet or contact Mark Pass at Beeston.

Evasion strategies should also be adapted wherever possible, by not grazing out-wintered cattle on potentially contaminated, poorly-drained areas.

Furthermore, housing animals at high risk times can help keep them out of harms way, as well as fencing, even temporarily, of high risk pastures can help reduce infection levels. Drainage can help reduce mud snail habitat and the resultant risk of infection.

In high fluke-risk areas, grazing cattle may need to be dosed with a flukicide that has activity against immature fluke. Whilst Triclabendazole is the most effective against early immature fluke, acute fluke disease is rare in cattle (the chronic form is much more common), and so there are several alternatives available which are outlined below - do ask your vet or our SQP Mark Pass for advice based on your farm conditions and the NADIS fluke forecast.

If treated, cattle should be moved onto fluke-free pastures as soon as possible.

There are benefits associated with treating cattle at housing as this will immediately remove the impact of developing and adult flukes on growth and feed efficiency, BUT... where this approach is practiced, cattle should be tested later in the housing period for the presence of adult fluke, or best practice would be to give a second treatment to ensure all fluke are removed.

The interval between housing and testing or re-treatment will depend on the product used.

LIVER FLUKE TREATMENT IN BEEF & DAIRY YOUNGSTOCKThe gold standard, for Beef Cattle & Dairy Youngstock going to be housed over the winter that have been exposed to infection, should be dosing after housing. The treatment used and timing of the dose will depend on the activity of the product you choose to use:-

• Closamectin Pour-On (Closantel & Ivermectin) treats Worms & Fluke (SPECIAL OFFERS ON 6L PACKS DURING NOVEMBER WHICH INCLUDES A FREE PAIR OF WATERPROOFS!)

• Trodax Injection treats fluke (Nitroxynil).

Both these products Closamectin Pour-On & Trodax may be given six to seven weeks after housing to ensure that all flukes are old enough to be susceptible.

• Fasinex 240 24% Drench (Triclabendazole) treats fluke and is best used 2 weeks after housing.

Alternatively you may want to treat at housing. NB: Triclabendazole is the only flukicide effective against very young, immature flukes.

Ivomec Super Injection (Clorsulon & Ivermectin) at housing treats worms and adult liver fluke, reducing the effect of chronic disease on profitability. Do not use in cattle producing milk for human consumption, or in non-lactating dairy cows including pregnant heifers within 60 days of calving.

For out wintered cattle exposed to high levels of fluke infection we advise the use of FASINEX 240 24% (Triclabendazole) which is effective against young immature fluke. Infection pressure may also be reduced by fencing off wet areas or avoiding such pastures until around February, although this may not always be practical!

RESTRICTIONS DO APPLY! There are long milk withdrawal periods for dairy heifers on Closamectin Pour-On, Trodax Injection, Fasinex 240 24% & Ivomec Super Injection, so best practice is to speak to your vet or SQP.

LIVER FLUKE TREATMENT IN DAIRY COWSChronic liver fluke causes significant economic losses. In dairy herds there will be a negative impact on fertility and milk production where cows are affected.

The situation for dairy cattle treatment has over the last few years become even more difficult, as the VMD and NOAH have recently reviewed the residue levels of all flukicides in milk and issued new guidelines for their use.

• A bulk milk tank ELISA test can monitor herd exposure to fluke and efficacy of control programs. These are available free at Beeston through November. Speak to Mark Pass for more information on what product is best suited for your farm.

• Albendazole (Endospec 10%). An oral drench with treats adult liver fluke, roundworms, lungworm & tapeworm. 14 day meat withdrawal period, and a 60 hour milk withdrawal period.

• Triclabendazole 24% (Fasinex 240 24%) An oral drench. For the treatment and control of liver fluke from 2 weeks old early immature, to adult forms. For use only in dry cows more than 48 days off calving. 52 day meat withhold, 50 day milk withhold period.

• Triclabendazole 10% (Endofluke 10%) An oral drench. Treats early immature to adult fluke. For use only in dry cows. Milk may only be taken from 48 hours after calving. Not intended for use within 45 days of calving. 56 day meat withhold, 47 day milk withhold period.

• Triclabendazole 10% (Tribex 10%) An oral drench. Treats early immature to adult fluke. For use only in dry cows. Milk for human consumption may only be taken from 84 hours after calving. Not intended for use within 41 days of calving. 56 day meat withhold, 44.5 day milk withhold period. Special offers on Tribex 10% during November, please speak to Mark Pass.

• Zanil (Oxyclozanide) is an oral drench that treats adult liver fluke. It can be given to cattle as a treatment for chronic liver fluke. It has a 4.5 day milk withdrawal period.

Post-mortem examination is essential to establish a diagnosis of acute and subacute liver fluke disease, and other potential causes of sudden death.

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