Treatment of chronic fasciolosis in cattle

Abstract

The effect of treatment in chronic fasciolosis was studied in 36 cows of the breeds Hereford, A. Angus and Shorthorn, naturally infected with F. hepatica. The animals were separated, into two groups: 1. A control-group, with 7,01 eggs per gram, and average live-body weight of 294,7 kg ± 46,6; 2. A treated group with 6,68 eggs per gram and average of 288 kg ± 31 ,4. The trial was carried out on a private farm, during 232 days. Feces collection and live-body weight were recorded every two months. During the same period, the treated group received Niclofolan 4% 2 ml/100 kg b.w via s/c. All animals were slaughtered 41 days after the 4th medication of the treated group. The livers were weighed and the flukes were collected. There were no flukes present in the livers of the treated group, while the control had an average of 23,9 flukes/liver. Both groups showed chronic damage and calcifications of the liver channels. There were no significative differences (P<0.05) between groups in carcass weight (treated 174,1 ± 17,6 vs control 177,2 ± 19,0), and liver weight (treated 116,6 ± 15,4 vs control 114,3 ± 37,7). Based on the results achieved, the treatment against fasciolosis in the adult animals that already have chronic and irreversible liver damage is not economical.