Don’t be distracted by rumen fluke finding, experts warn
23rd January 2025
Experts are worried that the inclusion of rumen fluke egg counts on lab reports could result in knee jerk reactions, or distract from liver fluke.
SCOPS and COWS experts have warned farmers, vets and advisers not to be distracted from the serious threat of liver fluke, due to the inclusion of rumen fluke egg counts in lab reports.
They fear this could lead to both parasites being unnecessarily treated, or the wrong parasite being treated.
It’s important to avoid this as over-treatment costs time and money, as well as speeding up the development of resistance to available flukicides.
Speaking on behalf of SCOPS, independent consultant Nerys Wright said that the presence of both liver fluke and rumen fluke eggs is a common finding.
However, treatment should focus on liver fluke, as rumen fluke rarely causes disease. Liver fluke, on the other hand, can be hugely damaging in both cattle and sheep.
“It is also worth noting there are no products licenced in the UK for the treatment of rumen fluke,” she added.
“SCOPS and COWS highly recommend using regular faecal egg count monitoring for liver fluke – but please don’t be distracted by the inclusion of incidental rumen fluke eggs on laboratory reports.
“The presence of rumen fluke does not mean they are causing disease.”
Detection of rumen fluke eggs indicates the presence of adult rumen fluke.
On the very rare occasions rumen fluke does cause disease, it is when large numbers of immature rumen fluke collect in the duodenum (duodenitis), which a faecal egg count or egg detection report wouldn’t show up.
Find the SCOPS-COWS Guide to Test-Based Liver Fluke Control at:
www.scops.org.uk/internal-parasites/liver-fluke/diagnosis-and-detection
www.cattleparasites.org.uk/liver-fluke-and-rumen-fluke.
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