Page 5 - 20140903 PC Rumen Fluke

Rumen Fluke - the facts PAGE 5

How can I control Rumen Fluke in my herd?

1. BiOSEcuRiTy

Prevent introducton of rumen fukes onto your farm.
In principle, the normal procedures for biosecurity should be applied to rumen
fuke. These include testng on arrival and isolaton and treatment of positve most drugs that kill
animals, however, because infectons rarely progress to clinical disease and for liver fukes do not
logistcal and fnancial reasons, these may not be practcal optons. kill rumen fukes

2. REDucE EXPOSuRE

Reduce the possibility of exposure to rumen fuke larvae on pasture.

Restrictng access to felds, or parts of felds, which are or have been wet or water logged will reduce exposure
to contaminated herbage. The fencing-of of drains, ponds and watercourses should also reduce exposure. These
measures also have the added beneft of reducing exposure to liver fuke.

3. TREATmEnT

Flukicidal drugs.
Most of the drugs that control liver fuke DO NOT kill rumen
fuke. Although not specifcally licensed in Ireland for the
treatment of rumen fuke, it has been reported in the scientfc
literature that oxyclozanide can kill both mature and immature
stages of this parasite. The dosages and treatment frequency
described in the literature for oxyclozanide against rumen fuke
difer from those recommended for liver fuke control and
expert advice on this should be sought.. Oxyclozanide is not
efectve against immature liver fuke, but it will kill immature
rumen fuke. Afer treatment catle may occasionally show
transient scouring and lack of appette and in dairy catle, a
decrease in milk yield. Photo courtesy of Merial, Lyon, France
Current veterinary advice to prevent the development of
resistance is to avoid the over-use of this fukicide. Routne
treatment for rumen fuke is rarely justfed except on farms
where severe clinical disease has been confrmed in the past.
Even in these cases, treatment should only be administered Galba truncatula snail, is an intermediate host of
when clinical disease has been diagnosed as this drug has no rumen fuke.
persistent efect against rumen fuke.
Close monitoring is essental on farm, and for the best advice on treatment and control optons, you should consult
with your own veterinary practtoner.