Your Ultimate Guide to Liver Fluke Control

What is Liver Fluke?

Liver fluke is an internal parasite that affects livestock including cattle and sheep, and can have a lifelong impact on productivity and fertility by damaging the liver. Due to its complex lifecycle, producers will need to implement an integrated management strategy to help control the parasite and maximise farm profitability. This comprehensive guide will give you a step-by-step guide on what you can do to limit this parasite’s impact.

Liver Fluke’s Journey of Destruction

After ingestion, young flukes will hatch out of the cysts ingested and spend the next 8-10 weeks carving its destructive journey through the liver causing significant tissue damage. Crucially, the first 1-2 weeks of this stage are considered the most damaging3. After maturation, adult liver fluke enter the bile ducts and begin to produce up to 50,000 eggs daily which are then excreted in the host's faeces to continue the infection cycle2.

Liver fluke steals from your stock!
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Meat6-9

  • Reductions in weight gain by up to 28% or up to 1.2 kg per week.
  • Decrease in appetite and feed conversion.
  • Up to 93 days delay in reaching slaughter weights.
  • Liver condemnations of up to 30% at the abattoir.
Liver fluke steals from your stock!
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Milk2,10

  • Up to 30% reduction in milk yield (up to 2,100 lost litres for a typical cow producing 7,000 litres).
  • Reduction in the quality of milk including butterfat and protein content.
Liver fluke steals from your stock!
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Wool11-13

  • Up to 20-39% decrease in wool production from 6 weeks after infection.
  • Infection impacts fleece weight, diameter, and strength.
Liver fluke steals from your stock!
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Fertility14-16

  • Reduced conception rates of up to 50%.
  • Puberty onset delays of up to 39 days.
  • Increase of up to a week in calving intervals.
  • 14% smaller birth weights.

Liver Fluke Distribution - A Growing Problem

Much of the current liver fluke distribution data is over 50 years old23, outdated and fails to reflect how the movement of up to 18 million cattle annually has expanded the parasite's reach into new regions24.

Distribution of liver fluke disease in different climatic regions in 2007

Distribution Map

Distribution of positive liver fluke diagnostic samples in cattle 2019-2023

Cattle Distribution Map

Distribution of positive liver fluke diagnostic samples in sheep 2019-2023

Sheep Distribution Map

Tips for better Liver Fluke control

Effective control of TWO-WEEK-OLD liver fluke protects livestock performance

two week control graph
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Because liver fluke causes most of the permanent, irreparable liver damage early in its lifecycle, it is critical to treat animals using products that can control down to the 2-week-old fluke stage, which can offer an extra 8 kg of weight gain compared to waiting until the 4-6 week stage, and an extra 13 kg when compared to just treating adult liver fluke.

Efficacy against known triclabendazole resistant fluke strain28

Efficacy graph
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After nearly 50 years of use, widespread resistance means triclabendazole-only drenches are no longer reliable for controlling liver fluke. Nitrofluke and Nitromec are the only Australian drenches that utilise non-triclabendazole actives to target all stages of the parasite as well as triclabendazole-resistant strains.

Treating Liver Fluke - Timing & Stock Class

Liver Fluke Management Calendar
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Young livestock (4-18 months of age)

Young livestock are especially prone to the damaging effects of liver fluke and these cattle need to be protected by at least two liver fluke treatments within a year. Often weaning will coincide with key liver fluke timings and in these cattle using an effective product that controls all stages of liver fluke is highly recommended.

Breeding Animals Icon

Breeding animals

Due to the damaging effects of liver fluke on fertility and milk production your liver fluke treatments should be timed to remove liver fluke burdens at least 4 weeks before the high demand periods of birth and early lactation. In many regions this can coincide with either a Spring or Autumn treatment. For dairy cows a highly effective dry off treatment is essential. Once replacement beef heifers are selected this can be an important group to introduce more effective liver fluke products that have a longer ESI.

Purchased Animals Icon

Purchased animals

Use a highly effective fluke product to ensure the removal of liver fluke (including those with triclabendazole resistance) entering your property from other farms.

Combined Worm & Liver Fluke Control

Autumn and spring are also strategic times to treat worm burdens, such as Ostertagia, Barber's Pole, and Cooperia. Co-infection with both liver fluke and worms without effective treatment can lead to significant production losses of up to 13 kgs related to liver fluke18 and up to 29 kilograms related to gastrointestinal worms.25,26

The reality of drench resistance in Australia means there is no single product that will ensure both effective worm and fluke control.19,20,27 For example, pour-on products containing both triclabendazole and abamectin or injectable products containing both ivermectin and clorsulon are now very old formulations. They are typically ineffective against either one or both of worms and fluke.

So, What Are Your Options For Concurrent Worm And Liver Fluke Control?

Option 1

Dual-Active Broad Spectrum (Cydectin Platinum Path)

  • Product: Cydectin Platinum + a non-ML liver fluke product (Flukazole or Nitrofluke)
  • Benefit: Best practice 4-way parasite control targeting both new and established worm and liver fluke burdens.
Option 1 Packs

So, What Are Your Options For Concurrent Worm And Liver Fluke Control?

Option 2

Long-Acting Protection Strategy

  • Product: Cydectin Long Acting + Flukazole C
  • Benefit: Outstanding productivity thanks to dual-acting power against worms and liver fluke, offering season-long protection against worms and strategic liver fluke control. A popular, highly effective program for young growing cattle.
  • Strategy Note: To manage resistance, rotate this option with Cydectin Long Acting and Nitrofluke every 3 years to introduce a new liver fluke active ingredient. Or use Nitrofluke or Nitromec in another class of stock on farm, such as in adult cows.
Option 2 Packs

So, What Are Your Options For Concurrent Worm And Liver Fluke Control?

Option 3

Liver fluke & Worm Control (Focus on Flexibility)

  • Option A: Nitromec
    Outstanding control of liver fluke and Barber’s Pole worm where a longer ESI is acceptable.
  • Option B: Flukazole
    Oral worm and liver fluke control with a short ESI. Hits worms with a different non-ML active.
  • Strategy Note: Rotate from either option to regularly include Cydectin Platinum to ensure a vital combination effect on all key worms.
Option 3 Packs

FAQ

What is the best timing for a liver fluke drench in cattle to ensure maximum efficacy?
Typically autumn is considered the most critical time to treat for liver fluke and helps to control all fluke present and sharply reduces egg production, thereby minimising pasture contamination over winter. Using effective products like Nitrofluke, Nitromec and Flukazole that controls all stages of liver fluke (including the most damaging 2-week-old fluke) is highly recommended.
How can I tell if my cattle have triclabendazole-resistant liver fluke?
The mainstay of liver fluke control Triclabendazole has been used for over 50 years and recent testing through an MLA funded trial has shown that every single property tested had liver fluke with some degree of resistance to triclabendazole. Other methods include a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) or a Copro-antigen ELISA (cELISA). Please contact your local Virbac representative for more information on testing for triclabendazole resistance.
Are there non-chemical ways to control liver fluke infection and reduce pasture contamination?

There are some liver fluke control opportunities that do go beyond chemicals. These options focus on integrated parasite management principles and include:

  • Fence off high-risk wet areas with slow-moving water like muddy patches, streams, and around dams. This will help livestock from grazing where the fluke cysts are.
  • Fix leaks in pipes and troughs to prevent wet patches in pasture.
  • Practice pasture rotation and ensure animals graze between fluke and non-fluke paddocks.
  • Waiting at least 3-4 weeks before moving successfully treated animals onto clean pasture is essential to avoid contaminating the fluke-free area with these residual eggs.
What is the ideal induction protocol for liver fluke in cattle?

The Basics for Cattle

For effective quarantine treatment, you must use at least two different fluke actives and two different worm actives concurrently.

The Options

  • Recommended: Nitrofluke and Cydectin Platinum (beef cattle only). Offers the highest efficacy, controls all fluke stages and worm burdens, including resistant strains.
    NOTE: Has a 140 day Export Slaughter Interval (ESI).
  • Alternative Option: Virbamec Plus and Flukazole (beef and dairy cattle). Relies on triclabendazole for immature fluke control, which may pose a problem on properties with triclabendazole resistance. However this program has the advantage of a shorter ESI and can be used in dairy cattle.
    NOTE: 21 days treatment to calving interval
  • Adult-Only Fluke Treatment: Virbamec Plus and Nilzan. This combination misses all the highly damaging immature fluke stages.

The Checking

Worm egg count 14 days later
Fluke egg count 28 days later

 

What is the ideal induction protocol for liver fluke in sheep?
Quarantine and induction worm and liver fluke control is complex in sheep due to a lack of registered products and high levels of resistance. 4-5 different actives are needed to ensure worm control and same day use of two different fluke actives will be needed. Seek specific advice for induction treatments in sheep by contacting your local Virbac representative.

References

References
  1. Ball 2025- Updates in Liver Fluke Control- Virbac Tech Note On File
  2. NSW Department of Primary Industries. (2017, March). Liver fluke disease in sheep and cattle (Primefact 446, 4th ed.). https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/sheep/health/internal-parasites/liverfluke-disease-sheep-cattle
  3. Boray, J. C. (1967). Studies on experimental Fasciola hepatica infections, with particular reference to acute fascioliasis in sheep. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 61(4), 439-450.
  4. Virbac Australia (2018). Flukekill™ Liver Fluke Control Manual.
  5. Coles, G. C., Jackson, F., Pomroy, W. E., Prichard, R. K., von Samson-Himmelstjerna, G., Silvestre, R. N., Taylor, M. A., & Vercruysse, J. (2006). World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (W.A.A.V.P.) methods for the detection of anthelmintic resistance in helminths of veterinary importance. Veterinary Parasitology, 136(3–4), 167–185.
  6. Hope Cawdery, M. J., Strickland, K. L., Conway, A., & Crowe, P. J. (1977). Production effects of liver fluke in cattle. I. The effects of infection on liveweight gain, feed intake and food conversion efficiency in beef cattle. British Veterinary Journal, 133(2), 145–159.
  7. Priddle, L., Torgerson, E. W., Torgerson, P. R., & Mitchell, S. M. (2025). Carcass weight, meat quality and economic impact of liver fluke infection on cattle. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, 58, 101201.
  8. "Liver Fluke: The Economic Impact." Virbac South Africa, za.virbac.com/home/every-health-care/liver-fluke-the-economic-impact. Accessed 23 May 2024.
  9. Skuce, P. J., & Zadoks, R. N. (2013). Liver fluke - A growing threat to UK livestock production. Cattle Practice, 21(2), 138–149.
  10. Kuerpick, B., Knubben-Schweizer, G., Schnieder, T., & Strube, C. (2017). Associations between fasciolosis and milk production, and the impact of anthelmintic treatment in dairy herds. Parasitology Research, 116(8), 2173–2181.
  11. Roseby, F. B.(1970). The effect of fasciolalosis on the wool production of merino sheep. Australian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 46, August, 1970
  12. Hawkins, C. D. and Morris, R. S.(1987). Depression of productivity in sheep infected with Fasciola hepatica. Veterinary Parasitology. Vol.4, Issue 4, December 1978, Pages 341-351
  13. Walkden-Brown, S., & Besier, B. (2009). Sheep health (Wool 412/512, Topic 7). University of New England; Australian Wool Education Trust.
  14. Oakley, G. A., Owen, B., & Knapp, N. H. (1979). Production effects of subclinical liver fluke infection in growing dairy heifers. Veterinary Record, 104 (22), 503–507.
  15. Charlier, J.; Duchateau, L.; Claerebout, E.; Williams D.; and Vercruysse, J.(2007). Associations between anti-Fasciola hepatica antibody levels in bulk-tank milk samples and production parameters in dairy herds. Prev Vet Med. 2007 Jan 16;78(1):57-66.
  16. Akinbamijo, O. O., Lahlou-Kassi, A., & Tembely, S. (1996). Effect of experimental fascioliasis on feed intake, nitrogen retention and body weight changes in open and pregnant Menz sheep. Small Ruminant Research, 20(2), 163–169.
  17. Dargie, J.D. (1986). The impact of production and mechanisms of pathogenesis of trematode infections in cattle and sheep. International Journal of Parasitology, 17(2):453-63
  18. JC Boray (1982). Chemotherapy of fasciolosis. New South Wales Veterinary Proceedings, p42-47.
  19. Brockwell, Y. M., Elliott, T. P., Anderson, G. R., Stanton, R., Spithill, T. W., & Sangster, N. C. (2014). Confirmation of Fasciola hepatica resistant to triclabendazole in naturally infected Australian beef and dairy cattle. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 4(1), 48–54.
  20. Kelley, J. M., Mason, C. L., Barker, J. S. P., Haslam, S. J., & Hodgkinson, J. E. (2020). Prevalence of triclabendazole resistance in Fasciola hepatica from dairy cattle in Great Britain. Veterinary Parasitology, 277, 109015.
  21. Refer to registered labels APVMA No. 70184, APVMA No. 59844, APVMA No. 52899 and APVMA No. 56706.
  22. Meat & Livestock Australia. (2025, August 12). Flukicide timing tackles drench resistance. https://www.mla.com.au/news-and-events/industry-news/flukicide-timing-tackles-drench-resistance/
  23. Vyas, S. N., Mckay-Demeler, J., Ward, M. P., & Calvani, N. E. D. (2025). A contemporary map of Fasciola hepatica distribution in sheep and cattle in New South Wales. Australian Veterinary Journal.
  24. Seitzinger, A., Garner, G., Bradhurst, R., Okelo, W., & Rodan, M. (2022). Analysis of livestock movements and the benefits and costs of livestock standstills in Australia as part of the response to foot-and-mouth disease. CSIRO.
  25. NSW DPI (2020) Duck Creek Endoparasite Trial (Data on File)
  26. Virbac (2022) Comparative worm/tick counts and productivity in QLD cattle following Mox/Lev or Doramectin PO- Study 620-21- Data on File.
  27. Virbac Australia. (2025). Drench Trax: Track the drench resistance in your region. https://au.virbac.com/cydectin-platinum/drench-trax

*The benefits outlined in the scientific studies mentioned are not registered label claims. They are a guide to the importance of liver fluke control for livestock production. Outcomes may vary depending on farm management, fluke burdens and animal responses. Weight Gain is not a registered claim for Cydectin Platinum, Nitrofluke, Nitromec and Flukazole.

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LIVER FLUKE BROCHURE
 

Which Liver Fluke Solution is Right for You?

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All-in-one Worm and Liver Fluke Control

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Ideal for when a shorter ESI is required

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