VERY lethargic and thin corsican sheep, fell down tonight.

Make sure you ask your vet about liver flukes. It probably isn't a test they normally run but they can if you ask. Good luck; we are all rooting for her.

babsbag said:

Make sure you ask your vet about liver flukes. It probably isn't a test they normally run but they can if you ask. Good luck; we are all rooting for her.

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How do you run a test for liver flukes? I know they rarely show up in fecals... Another goat breeder/dairy owner I know said she uses ivermectin plus maybe once a year as preventative because of that.

It is in the fecal, but it looks like Barberpole so it is sometimes missed. It isn't a problem where I live as we have hot dry summers and I have no pasture. I am not sure if it will always be seen or not.

This is from Goat-Link.com While Liver fluke damage is often found in otherwise well-managed mature goats that despite good care continue to decline in appearance, in my experience this sudden appearance of anemia and weakness with either normal, or subnormal, temp (and sometimes swelling under the jaw as well) is not at all unusual to discover in young ruminants within the first few months of life as well. At that age it commonly shows up when they're heavily exposed to it in pastures containing wet areas, before their immune systems can get up and going to protect them. In fact, it's not uncommon for these young victims to die so fast they hardly have time to be sick.¹ This is especially true if there are any clostridial (Entero) organisms present in them, since they multiply and secrete their toxins fast in the already damaged, poorly oxygenated liver tissue .¹

Today, by far the most difficult problem that we as owners face with Liver fluke treatment/control is that the veterinary community in general isn't even aware that it's there. As a result, they're unable to recommend proper treatment for it. This is because the egg of the Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica)² looks so similar to that of the Barberpole worm (Haemonchus contortus)² that when it shows up on the slide in the Vet's office it's routinely misidentified to BE that of the Haemonchus contortus (or perhaps by some general term like strongyles, stomach worms, et al).

Sounds like you have done everything possible for her and that whatever it is, she had it when you got her. Why some animals get things and others in the same group do not is always something to second guess later. Barberpole worms are the big problem here, but after that bout with johne's we have become gun shy and anything that does not respond to 2 courses of treatment goes to a buyer that ships for slaughter if we don't dispose of it first. I would definitely treat for liver flukes, why not since you have tried everything else. Sometimes the cure will kill them, but sometimes it is better to try everything in the medicine cabinet than just watch them die or put them down. The wanting to eat and graze is what made me think johne's, they never quit wanting to eat. Good luck with the fecal and the vet.

Yes, just to re-iterate...if you used plain ivermectin, it won't cover for liver fluke. Ask the vet for some triclabendazole (that's the generic name...has several trade names).

Acute liver fluke usually occurs in previously healthy sheep who are exposed to wet pasture (with snails) between August and October.

Good Luck.

Vet said with all the dewormings we havd given her, a fecal would not be reliable. She had formed pellet stool late last night finally (YAY!!!). We got more fluids at the vet and she is getting them as I type. We got a nutrical type paste used for newborns, but the vet said it can't hurt her. Drenching her with more electorlytes periodically. If she makes it she better not expect scissor cut grass delivered a few time a day and a blanket to rest under

She certainly will be spoiled.

I don't understand your vet. There is no way to know if the wormer worked without a fecal. At least you have been treating for cocci so that should be taken care of. I would be worried about the pale eyelids; are they getting better? Any concern about liver fluke from your vet?

Her stool is solid now, so we are going to nurse her to build strength up and try another fecal in a few days or so (they didn't actually say how long we should wait). I think the thought is that since we had recently gave her the 2nd dose of panacur and she had ivermectin (not ivermectin plus though, that will be next if she gets worse again) a few days ago, she is probably going to show all parasites she may have had (even if they weren't a high enough load to be making her this sick I would think) that we have treated her for until they all get cleared out. It was actually a vet tech, vet was with a client, but the tech has some experience with sheep. Thankfully the hubby is a vet tech and is able to give her fluids via a line and whatnot. We are just pretty new to sheep and are learning as we go.
She is more alert now, that's for sure.

She is a cutie

Since she is doing better that does make some sense; I know that sometimes you have to worm 10 days apart to get them all. You might try some Red Cell if she is still anemic, you should be able to get it at a feed store. It is helpful that hubby can give fluids and such not; I have done it on kittens but never on a goat.