General information
The liver fluke parasitises in the bile ducts of various mammals. The eggs are excreted
with the faeces and undergo a development cycle in which the dwarf mudsnail serves
as an intermediate host. The metacercariae are then ingested by the final host. There
they penetrate the intestinal wall, migrate through the liver and reach the bile ducts,
where they develop into adult liver flukes. In horses, infestation is rare; risk factors
include grazing on damp pastures or access to natural water, especially in mixed
grazing with sheep or cattle. The infection is often asymptomatic. The following signs
are associated with a liver fluke infestation: diarrhoea, apathy, anorexia, emaciation, poor
performance. Increased liver enzyme activity is possible.