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''Fasciola Hepatica'' is an hepatic parasite found in mainly in ruminants, namely cows, sheep and goats, but also known to affect horses and pigs.  It is commonly found within the UK, with its prevalence ever increasing.  It is responsible for a 10-15% production loss in each infected animal, as it affects meat, milk and wool production, so is of huge economic consequence.

''Fasciola Hepatica'' is an hepatic parasite found in mainly in ruminants, namely cows, sheep and goats, but also known to affect horses and pigs.  It is commonly found within the UK, with its prevalence ever increasing.  It is responsible for a 10-15% production loss in each infected animal, as it affects meat, milk and wool production, so is of huge economic consequence.

''Fasiola Hepatica'' has a definitive ruminant mammalian host and an intermediate molluscian host. The full life cycle is illustrated in the image aside.

''Fasiola Hepatica'' has a definitive ruminant mammalian host and an intermediate molluscian host. Within Europe the intermediate host is almost exclusively the snail 'Lymnaea truncatulata'. The snail habitat is crucial to the survival of the parasite, so wet conditions are favourable to the development and spread of Fasciola hepatica

[[Image:Fasciola hepatica.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Fasciola hepatica (Copyright Adam Cuerden, Wikimedia Commons) ''']]

[[Image:Fasciola hepatica.jpg|400px|thumb|right|'''Fasciola hepatica (Copyright Adam Cuerden, Wikimedia Commons) ''']]

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===Treatment===

===Treatment===

If the fuke is present treat with triclabendazole, which is effective against all stages of Fasciola hepatica.  Treatment should be applied in September/October and again in January, if faecal egg count is still postitive.  One may also treat against adult only stages in May/June, preventing any future pasture contamination.  However, do not use the same treatment in September/October as used in May/June, as resistance to drugs is becoming a real problem within the UK due to overuse.  If it has been a particularly wet season, it may be necessary to  

If the fuke is present treat with triclabendazole, which is effective against all stages of Fasciola hepatica.  Treatment should be applied in September/October and again in January, if faecal egg count is still postitive.  One may also treat against adult only stages in May/June, preventing any future pasture contamination.  However, do not use the same treatment in September/October as used in May/June, as resistance to drugs is becoming a real problem within the UK due to overuse.  If it has been a particularly wet season, it may be necessary to treat again, as Fasciola hepatica becomes more prevalent under such conditions.