Pathogenicity

Once F. hepatica is in the body it can reek havoc on the body. Not only does it affect the liver but it also produces immunosuppressing molecules making the immune system struggle to keep up. This is often lethal in smaller ruminants like sheep and goats though cattle don't seem to get as sick as the smaller ruminants.

Infection Site

With the liver and bile duct being the main infection site for these parasites, damage to the liver and bile duct are inevitable. Scaring, bile back up and leaking bile are some of the very dangerous affects that F. hepatica can have on the body. The liver takes a very long time to repair itself and sometimes the damage done is permanent and will have lasting effects on the animal.

Symptoms of Fasciolis

Hemorrhaging
Decreased Liver Function
Decreased Bile Production
Back up of Bile
Pain due to inability for bile to reach the small intestine
Weakened immune system
Anemia
Decrease in milk production
Fibrosis of the bile duct
Necrosis
Death

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse