Guest MickyB Posted May 17, 2009 Report Share Posted May 17, 2009 Some of my rabbit clearance is on an old golf course where there are rabbits in abundance. Mixy is usually about, but only odd ones seem to get affected by it and it never has an effect on the numbers any more. However most of the rabbits have livers that are in a terrible state, I always discard the affected livers but use the carcass. What I want to know is.... are these safe for consumption by dogs? Will the rabbit have the eggs etc in its system, or by throwing away the liver, the problem will have gone? Does freezing kill off these parasites or not? Can they survive a period of time in a frozen state? Please... facts are needed NOT opinions on this subject, as I dont want my dogs livers looking like this... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jenksi87 3 Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 would you eat something that looked like that? ............. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
coursing mad 5 Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 that is very much horrible ive came across rabbitt livers like that before maybe worse i would like to know what it is aswell Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lapin2008 1,587 Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 (edited) Got a handful of rabbits with this the other day . I threw the livers but kept the carcasses. They will remain for a couple of weeks in the freezer but then will go to the ferrets Edited May 19, 2009 by lapin2008 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sandymere 8,263 Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Liver flukes have been passed to cats, not uncommon in the USA, from eating infected animals. The flukes have a complicated life cycle with onfection of a suitable host via a number of ways. "Humans may become infected with F. hepatica through the ingestion of marsh plants such as watercress contaminated with cercariae". (University of Reading)Life-cycle of the liver fluke The life cycle of the Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke). The adult fluke, which live in the bile ducts, produce eggs which are passed in the faeces (a). When the eggs separate from the faecal material in wet areas, under optimal conditions they will hatch, releasing the larvae or miracidia (. The miracidia invade the lymnaeid snails in which they develop and multiply as sporocyst, rediae and cercariae ©. The tadpole like cercariae leave the snails (d) and swim until they encyst on vegetation, forming metacercariae (e), which are the infective stage of the fluke. The entire cycle of the liver fluke in the snails takes 2 - 3 months under favourable conditions in the field. If ingested by sheep, cattle or other hosts, including man (f), the metacercariae excyst in the small intestine and the released immature flukes penetrate the intestinal wall and enter the abdominal cavity. The young fluke penetrate the liver capsule and migrate through the liver tissue for 6 to 7 weeks before entering the bile ducts to become adult fluke (g). The fluke reach sexual maturity and commence egg production 8 to 10 weeks after infection. I'd freeze for a couple of weeks or cook to be on the safe side. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MickyB Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Thankyou Sandymere Some very interesting reading there..... much apreciated! Micky Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cookie 2 8 Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 i work in a slaughter house and the sheep and cattle come in sometimes with fluke and the livers get through out but the carcases are ok i've only seen one lamb get thrown out but it was in a right state realy skinny it was just about dead if you think it looks dodgy throw it out Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MickyB Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 i work in a slaughter house and the sheep and cattle come in sometimes with fluke and the livers get through out but the carcases are ok i've only seen one lamb get thrown out but it was in a right state realy skinny it was just about dead if you think it looks dodgy throw it out Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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