Severe cases of live worm in sheep can be fatal.
Liver flukes are a type of parasitic worm that can invade the internal organs of various animals. They are particularly destructive to mammals such as sheep. Liver fluke in sheep produces a number of symptoms, including paleness along the mucus-covered areas, jaundice, and growth retardation. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea related to abdominal pain are perhaps the most common. Death can occur in the most severe cases.
Liver fluke can infect humans.
Parasites survive by feeding on other organisms, causing damage to the host. Flatworms are one such parasite, and the liver fluke is a prominent example of a flatworm. These creatures primarily invade the gallbladder and liver, hence their name: liver flukes. However, once the worms begin to reproduce, their eggs can end up in the intestinal tract. Their main source of nutrition is blood.
Symptoms of liver flukes include abdominal pain and mucus covering the eyes and mouth.
Unsurprisingly, attacks on these body parts and fluids create a number of uncomfortable symptoms. It may take several weeks for the first symptoms to appear after a liver fluke infection. Sometimes the parasites must become adults, spread, and start reproducing before symptoms begin. Liver fluke in sheep can last for years.
The most telltale symptoms of liver flukes in sheep are abdominal pain and yellowing of the skin or jaundice. An uncomfortable sheep can vomit, develop chronic diarrhea and disrupt normal feeding patterns, leading to weight loss and stunted growth. If jaundice is present with these symptoms, liver fluke could be the culprit. Sheep in damp or poorly sanitized areas are especially susceptible.
Liver fluke parasites can be particularly destructive in sheep.
Symptoms can also develop in the mouth and eye areas. Mucus-producing coverings in both places can become abnormally transparent, such as the gums and eyelids. In addition, infected sheep can develop a condition called bottle jaw, in which the jaw swells and feels runny.
Despite extensive invasion of internal organs, some infected animals remain symptom free. Even in these cases, if left untreated, extensive internal blood loss is likely to occur. This can cause slowness and an inability to move long distances. The liver will also be severely damaged. Severe cases can cause eventual death.
The liver fluke of sheep is known as Fasciola hepatica. They are especially prominent in Eastern Europe and Asia. While this specific type primarily infects plant-eating animals, such as sheep, it can also infect humans. In most cases, the parasite follows a long path to infection. It normally passes from the feces of a previously infected animal to a small passing creature, such as a snail. Once the little creature passes over the plants, the parasite remains on the plant until the next infected target consumes the item.
A visit to the veterinarian should be made if liver flukes are suspected in sheep. Medication protocols are the most common course of treatment. Prescription medications may include Flukare® and Closicomb.