DISEASES OF CATTLE 119 



FLUKE 

 (Liver and Lungs) 



Cause: This disease is contracted by cattle grazing 

 on marshy lands. There are two different species of 

 Fluke that affect the liver and Inngs of cattle. They 

 are both flat, leaf-like worms. The Common Liver Fluke 

 is about one-half inch long, while the so-called American 

 Fluke is somewhat larger. In their life history these 

 Flukes depend on snails as intermediate hosts. At a 

 certain stage of development the young Flukes live on 

 snails. They become encysted on stalks and blades of 

 grass which are finally swallowed by grazing cattle. This 

 disease is most frequently seen in young cattle. 



Symptoms: The animal shows no marked signs at 

 first, but eventually the appetite diminishes, rumination 

 or chewing of the cud becomes irregular, the animal be- 

 comes dull, hide-bound, hair standing, the visible mucous 

 membranes of the mouth and eyes become pale and 

 bloodless, the eyes discharge watery fluids oozing down 

 the face, temperature varying from two to three de- 

 grees above normal and milk supply, if in aged cattle, 

 remarkably reduced. In all cases there is great thirst 

 and the animal becomes very much emaciated and refuses 

 to eat. Swellings about the belly and breast, etc. Diar- 

 rhoea at first, alternating with constipation, but finally 

 becomes continuous. The diseased animal succumbs to 

 the malady in from two to six months. 



Treatment: Medical treatment is unsatisfactory. 

 The disease will be prevented to a considerable extent 

 by giving animals plenty of salt and in the marshes con- 

 taining pools of water introduce or plant carp, frogs and 

 toads into the infected tracts. These will destroy the 

 young parasites and feed upon the snails which sen^e as 

 their intermediate hosts. Or, prevent the cattle from 

 grazing upon swampy marshes by fencing them out. 



