166 PARASITES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



flock. On examination of the visible mucosae (conjunctiva) and inner 

 surface of the ears they will be found to be paler than usual, and there 

 may already be edematous swelling of the eyehds and under the brisket. 

 Notwithstanding the anaemia, the general physical condition of the 

 animal may still be good; there is, in fact, a tendency to fatten, which 

 may be explained physiologically in the increased assimilation of the 

 fat-forming elements of the food, brought about by the stimulation im- 

 parted by the flukes to the flow of bile. 



This stage, however, is soon followed by a marked increase in dullness 

 and a disinclination to take food. The animal ruminates slowly and 

 irregularly, the fleece becomes dry and brittle, and in places may loosen 

 and drop out; the skin and mucosae are whitish-yellow in color, the puffy 

 conjunctiva forming a prominent ring about the cornea. Though the 

 sheep may still be fat, weakness and disinclination to resist handling 

 become more pronounced. With progressively diminished appetite, 

 however, there is loss of flesh, and the edema of the dependent parts 

 increases, involving the lower part of the neck, throat, and cheeks. The 

 presence of ascites is evinced upon percussion of the pendulous abdomen, 

 and the respiration becomes labored and frequent. 



With these symptoms, which generally appear about the third month 

 after infestation, the disease is at its maximxun, usually reached in the 

 early winter months. The anaemia, edema, and cachexia have now 

 become more pronounced; in most of the advanced cases there is diarrhea 

 by which large numbers of eggs may be distributed about. Finally, 

 in a condition of extreme emaciation and weakness, the animal dies. 



Prognosis. — Most of the losses from fascioliasis of sheep are among 

 the lambs. Older animals and those but moderately infested gradually 

 recover with the passage of the flukes from the liver into the intestine, 

 this usually occurring in the early spring. With the disappearance of 

 the edematous swellings and the return of the appetite, the animal re- 

 sumes a good physical appearance and seems to completely recover. 

 The liver lesions, however, will not entirely heal, and, impairing the 

 function of the organ, will eventually have a deleterious effect upon 

 the animal. 



Fascioliasis of Cattle 



In cattle fascioliasis presents the same symptoms as in sheep. Due 

 to the greater resistance of these animals, however, the effects are much 

 less severe and may often pass unperceived. If the flukes are numerous 

 there may be digestive disturbances manifested by loss of appetite, 

 diarrhea, and tympanites; very rarely there are edematous swellings in 

 the dependent parts of the body. Fatahties from fascioliasis are rare 

 among cattle. When they occur it is usually among calves which have 

 reached an advanced emaciation. 



