THE current high liver fluke risk1 is also pre-disposing cattle to black disease and farmers should consider clostridial vaccination and appropriate fluke control to avoid potentially serious livestock losses .

“ Farmers have recently been warned over a later than normal liver fluke threat in 2024 following an unusual weather pattern during 20232 ,” said Dr Kat Baxter-Smith , veterinary adviser with MSD Animal Health .

“ Cattle livers are therefore in danger of being rejected because of fluke and in some cases this liver damage could also allow the clostridial bacteria C . novyii to gain a foothold with rapid death often the result .

“ Consequently , associated black disease is emerging as a significant and potentially

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catastrophic issue . The tissue damage caused by flukes migrating through the liver provides an ideal breeding ground for clostridia bacteria . Clostridial toxins kill quickly , and these diseases present few clinical signs before death . As a result , more cattle should be vaccinated with a broad spectrum clostridial disease vaccine such as Bravoxin ® Suspension .”

The rise in liver fluke infections and associated black disease is not the only reason why broad-spectrum clostridial vaccination has become more popular . There was a time that blackleg was the only clostridial disease cattle producers were aware of , but now that additional clostridial bacteria such as C . sordellii and C . perfringens A have also been identified as

causes of sudden death on UK cattle farms , it makes sense to broaden cover .

Dr Baxter-Smith explained that clostridial diseases are responsible for a huge number of costly cattle and sheep losses on UK farms .

“ Clostridial bacteria take the lives of cattle and sheep on a regular basis and are the cause of a significant proportion of the sudden livestock deaths in the UK . These bacteria share the same environment as livestock and are ever-present – existing in soil , on pasture , within buildings and even in the tissues and intestines of cattle and sheep . Consequently , improved farm biosecurity measures will be of no benefit in controlling this group of diseases .

“ The sheep industry already recognises the importance of broad-spectrum vaccination

against clostridial diseases , but more cattle producers are recognising the benefit . But over the last few years , there is increased incidence of different clostridial diseases in far from typical circumstances ,” she said .

Dr Baxter-Smith added that there are also many cattle deaths going undiagnosed and it is likely that many are caused by clostridial species .

“ As a result , we are now advising beef and dairy farmers to take a broader-spectrum vaccination approach to ensure adequate protection – not only of the cows themselves – but also for their calves . This can be achieved through good colostral transfer , or ideally through the continued protection of youngstock through their own vaccination using Bravoxin ® Suspension .”