Experimental infection of domestic goats with Fascioloides magna

Abstract

Development of the deer liver fluke, Fascioloides magna, was studied in seven domestic goats, each experimentally inoculated with 250 metacercariae. Six infected goats died between 89 and 195 days (mean 139) after inoculation. Infection did not develop in the seventh goat. Mortality was the result of unrestricted fluke migration before maturation or encapsulation of the flukes. A total of 144 F magna (mean intensity of 24.0) were recovered from inoculated goats, representing 8.2% of the metacercariae administered. Growth rate of F magna in goats was similar to that in cattle, white-tailed deer, and sheep.