Difference between revisions of "Liver Flukes"

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Liver fluke protocol is:
=Liver Fluke (Fasciola hepatica) in Rabbits=


Fenbendazole *Safeguard or Pancur liquid * is 20mg/kg for 30days
Liver fluke infection in rabbits is caused by the trematode ''Fasciola hepatica'', which inhabits the liver and bile ducts. Fluke infection may be confused with hepatic coccidiosis due to similar liver lesions.


==Etiology (cause)==
* Causative agent: ''Fasciola hepatica'', a parasitic trematode (liver fluke) 
* Transmission: Ingestion of metacercariae from contaminated water or vegetation 
* Pathophysiology: Larvae migrate through the intestinal wall to the liver, causing tissue damage, bile duct inflammation, and liver scarring. Chronic infection may lead to reduced growth, liver dysfunction, and secondary infections. 


==Clinical Signs==
* Poor growth or weight loss 
* Depression or lethargy 
* Anorexia 
* Pale mucous membranes (anemia) 
* Hepatomegaly or palpable liver irregularities 
* Jaundice in severe cases 
* Occasionally secondary diarrhea due to hepatic compromise 


==Treatment, Prevention, and Control==
* **Drug of choice:** Fenbendazole (Safeguard® or Panacur® liquid) 
  * Dosage: 20 mg/kg orally once daily for 30 consecutive days 
  * Mechanism: Binds parasite tubulin, impairing fluke metabolism and survival; liver-processed to reach site of infection 


* **Alternative / adjunct drugs:** 
  * Triclabendazole (Fasinex®) – higher concentration than fenbendazole; highly effective in experimental rabbit studies 
  * IVOMEC Super (Ivermectin + Clorsulon) – effective against liver flukes 
  * VALBAZEN® Suspension – broad-spectrum anthelmintic (flukes, tapeworms, stomach and intestinal worms, lungworms), not widely studied in rabbits 
  * Sulfa-based drugs (sulfamethoxine, trimethoprim-sulfa combinations) – limited evidence 


* **Notes on treatment selection:** 
  * Fenbendazole is the most accessible and safe for small-scale rabbit keepers 
  * Triclabendazole or other benzimidazole derivatives may shorten treatment duration but are less commonly available 
  * Toltrazuril (Baycox®) is effective against hepatic coccidia, not flukes; liver lesions may be confused with fluke scarring, so proper diagnosis is important 


Flukes are sensitive to bendozol based meds. And the enhanced IVOMEC Super with clorsulon.
* **Supportive care:** 
  * Maintain hydration and nutrition 
  * Reduce stress and prevent exposure to contaminated water or vegetation 
  * Regular liver monitoring in chronic or herd-level infections  


Best drug is Triclabendazole a sister to safeguard  but a higher concentration.  So safeguard used for a longer time is needed.
==References==
 
* Fasciola hepatica. Vetlexicon. [https://www.vetlexicon.com/treat/lapis/bug/fasciola-hepatica]  
dosing protocol for safeguard is the most readily  available.
* Triclabendazole efficacy against liver flukes. Experimental studies in rabbits. 
 
* Fenbendazole (Safeguard® / Panacur®) pharmacology and hepatic metabolism.
 
* IVOMEC Super (Ivermectin + Clorsulon) liver fluke activity.
Other drugs that treat flukes
 
IVOMEC Super is the pioneer ivermectin brand, plus clorsulon for liver fluke,...
 
VALBAZEN ® Suspension is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic effective in the removal and control of liver flukes, tapeworms, stomach worms (including fourth-stage inhibited larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi), intestinal worms and lungworms..... (noted, but not known if safe in rabbits)
....
drugs including sulfa preparations such as sulfamethoxine or trimethoprim-sulfa combinations...
 
Triclabendazole (Fasinex®) was found to be the most effective drug in experimental rabbit studies. Study results vary on the effectiveness of praziquantel A baycox sister drug
..https://www.vetlexicon.com/treat/lapis/bug/fasciola-hepatica
 
  .. .
 
 
 
Toltrazuril is a derivative of triazinetrione, and therefore is not a sulfa med. Toltrazuril is very effective against protozoa *coccidia*, but not very effective for parasitic trematodes like liver flukes.  
 
Safeguard/Panacur *Fenbendazole* is much more efficacious for flukes. The drug itself is liver processed and goes straight to the source of the flukes. There are two stronger cousins of Fenbendazole *both ending in azole* that are also excellent against flukes. They need a shorter treatment course than Fenbendazole... but Fenbendazole products are easier to access for most small stock holders.
 
coccidia... which also shows up in the liver. In fact... liver flukes scarring and coccidia cysts in the liver are often confused for each other.  Coccidia has a rounder appearance than fluke scarring on the liver.  Because of this similarity... people can treat with toltrazuril and get results...because it was hepatic coccidia...not flukes.

Latest revision as of 00:33, 18 August 2025

Liver Fluke (Fasciola hepatica) in Rabbits[edit | edit source]

Liver fluke infection in rabbits is caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica, which inhabits the liver and bile ducts. Fluke infection may be confused with hepatic coccidiosis due to similar liver lesions.

Etiology (cause)[edit | edit source]

  • Causative agent: Fasciola hepatica, a parasitic trematode (liver fluke)
  • Transmission: Ingestion of metacercariae from contaminated water or vegetation
  • Pathophysiology: Larvae migrate through the intestinal wall to the liver, causing tissue damage, bile duct inflammation, and liver scarring. Chronic infection may lead to reduced growth, liver dysfunction, and secondary infections.

Clinical Signs[edit | edit source]

  • Poor growth or weight loss
  • Depression or lethargy
  • Anorexia
  • Pale mucous membranes (anemia)
  • Hepatomegaly or palpable liver irregularities
  • Jaundice in severe cases
  • Occasionally secondary diarrhea due to hepatic compromise

Treatment, Prevention, and Control[edit | edit source]

  • **Drug of choice:** Fenbendazole (Safeguard® or Panacur® liquid)
 * Dosage: 20 mg/kg orally once daily for 30 consecutive days  
 * Mechanism: Binds parasite tubulin, impairing fluke metabolism and survival; liver-processed to reach site of infection
  • **Alternative / adjunct drugs:**
 * Triclabendazole (Fasinex®) – higher concentration than fenbendazole; highly effective in experimental rabbit studies  
 * IVOMEC Super (Ivermectin + Clorsulon) – effective against liver flukes  
 * VALBAZEN® Suspension – broad-spectrum anthelmintic (flukes, tapeworms, stomach and intestinal worms, lungworms), not widely studied in rabbits  
 * Sulfa-based drugs (sulfamethoxine, trimethoprim-sulfa combinations) – limited evidence
  • **Notes on treatment selection:**
 * Fenbendazole is the most accessible and safe for small-scale rabbit keepers  
 * Triclabendazole or other benzimidazole derivatives may shorten treatment duration but are less commonly available  
 * Toltrazuril (Baycox®) is effective against hepatic coccidia, not flukes; liver lesions may be confused with fluke scarring, so proper diagnosis is important
  • **Supportive care:**
 * Maintain hydration and nutrition  
 * Reduce stress and prevent exposure to contaminated water or vegetation  
 * Regular liver monitoring in chronic or herd-level infections

References[edit | edit source]

  • Fasciola hepatica. Vetlexicon. [1]
  • Triclabendazole efficacy against liver flukes. Experimental studies in rabbits.
  • Fenbendazole (Safeguard® / Panacur®) pharmacology and hepatic metabolism.
  • IVOMEC Super (Ivermectin + Clorsulon) liver fluke activity.
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