Can liver flukes be eliminated or controlled?
Because of our relatively mild winter conditions, the abundance of snails (the intermediate host) and wildlife reservoirs, its doubtful well be able to eliminate flukes on our ranches, Maas said. We dont have liver flukes as a problem in our feedlots or dairies because of the absence of these sources or infection. Our best option is the use of drugs to kill the flukes during strategic times of the year. Unfortunately, the timing depends on individual ranch operation. Killing the adult flukes in the liver of animals before turning them into clean pastures seems to be the most cost-effective strategy. Maas said this not only kills the flukes, but it prevents further shedding of eggs in the pastures. Maximum transmission of flukes occurs in spring and summer in the warmer regions and late summer to fall in cooler areas. Depending on pasture rotation schedules, the use of drugs to kill flukes in the fall or late winter/spring should be the minimum management strategy. Which drugs are effec
