Dogs and Liver Fluke.

[Cab-over Pete]

Aye-up,

Barley. Wonder Dog, loves a thrash around our sheep fields. She doesn't go there every day but when she does she often dives headlong into a wet boggy bit and buries her nose under the water whilst charging along. Ace fun.

There are loads of snails in the water and we are careful with the sheep and fluke. Barley is wormed on a programme of Provinox from the vets. They say dogs aren't often affected by fluke and that this stuff (applied on the back of her neck as a pour-on) covers her anyway. However, I can't find anywhere on the box that says it covers fluke.

Should we be concerned?

Cheers, Pete.

 

[GrannyAching]

Is there a contact number or e-mail on the box? Maybe get in touch with the Provinox makers. Failing that you could tag Bovine.

 

[Dry Rot]

If your dog is happy and healthy, I wouldn't worry. I assume the pour on is for external parasites (ticks and fleas). I've never heard of fluke being a problem in dogs and I've been around the block a few times.

 

[Blod]

More likely to get liver fluke from eating grass.

 

[llamedos]

Not sure of what the product is which you mention.

I would speak to your vet, any dog which eats grass from an area or drinks from pools or puddles is a likely to pick up fluke as is a sheep or a cow.

But products which are effective against fluke in dogs are not as readily available.
Panacur - fenbendazole is active against fluke, but not at the normal theraputic dose, so it would possible need a daily dose. But, Speak to your vet, it is likely that there may have been a product now brought to the market specifically for dogs.

 

[twizzel]

I would say Lungworm is a bigger problem in dogs drinking puddle water- we treat our spaniels with Milbeworm on a monthly basis to cover against this. They then have a flea/tick tablet monthly too, as spot on type treatments required them to stay dry for several days which as everyone knows is impossible for a spaniel ! From a bit of googling praziquantel seems to treat liver fluke in dogs and that is sold as Drontal but it would be worth speaking to your vet first.

 

[Dry Rot]

More likely it won't get them at all!

If the OP is determined to scare himself, it is easy enough with Google. Also bear in mind that vets make their living by selling medications and treating animals (which don't HAVE to be sick!).

There is a particularly nasty tape worm that is not uncommon in parts of Scotland usually found in sheep with the dog as intermediate host. When a human becomes infected, it can form a cyct containing thousands of eggs. If the cyst bursts, these eggs are carried around the body where they implant to form similar cysts. The symptoms are similar to cancer. As I kept a lot of dogs and lived in a prevalent area, I thought I'd better get myself tested.

As I heard nothing back from the doctor, I made an appointment and asked him point blank. "Oh, you tested positive for the lot!" Shock! Horror! Then he explained that these infections are about all the time and when we become infected, our natural defences kick in. The tests pick up on the antibodies that our bodies produce. Apparently, I am well protected! Still alive at 77...so far, so good.

Stop worrying!

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I didn't say I was particularly worried or trying to scare myself thanks.

I just thought if there is something to know, forewarned is forearmed.

Thanks all.

 

[Bury the Trash]

i worm ours with Drontal.

 

[Bury the Trash]

hmm,
http://parasitipedia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2500&Itemid=2772
sometimes the more one reads the more one worries

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Hence asking sensible farmers and not asking Google.