How to prevent and treat fluke & worms in sheep

For sheep, constant management of fluke is necessary because there is often no break in the grazing cycle. So, with no product persistent against fluke, a sheep treated one day can pick up infection the next if they are grazing infected pasture.

In autumn, an immature fluke in sheep can cause damage as they migrate through the liver. A heavy burden can lead to sudden death, due to damage or by a predisposition to the clostridial disease. When selecting treatment options, it is vital to consider the age of the fluke being treated.

Many fluke treatments focus on killing egg-laying adults, meaning most immature flukes will still be present; these will continue to cause damage as they migrate through the liver. These will also go on to develop into adult fluke.
Triclabendazole is the only ingredient that is effective against early immature fluke, with other products, such as closantel and nitrozynil, effective on fluke over six weeks old.

Treating a mixed worm burden

If there is a mixed worm burden, using a broad-spectrum combination product, such as CYDECTIN® TriclaMox®, which contains moxidectin and triclabendazole will be effective against worms for up to eight weeks and is also effective against immature fluke.

Other flukicides should then be used in rotation to target the stage of fluke causing the problem and help to reduce the development of triclabendazole resistance. It’s very important to have a plan in place and make sure treatment is for the risk at that time.

For specialist advice, speak to your local RAMA.