When we think about parasites, fleas and ticks usually come to mind first. But there are other, harder-to-see parasites that can cause serious problems—like liver flukes. Liver flukes are tiny flatworms that can infect your dog or cat, especially if they spend time outdoors near water or wildlife. While liver flukes haven’t been reported in Fort Mohave, Arizona, the liver fluke species heterobilharzia americana has been found in the Colorado River, specifically near Blythe California and the Parker area, so it’s good to know what to watch for.
At Advanced Animal Care, we’re here to help you protect your pet. If you ever have concerns, give us a call at 928-770-4918 or request an appointment online.
What Are Liver Flukes?
Liver flukes are small parasitic worms that can get into your pet’s body through the skin. In dogs, they travel through the lungs and liver before settling in the blood vessels. In cats, they head to the bile ducts in the liver. Once they settle in, they lay eggs and can cause damage over time.
Liver flukes used to be found mostly in the southeastern U.S., but now they’ve been found in other places too—including near the California-Arizona border. Thanks to better testing, vets can now find and treat these parasites more easily than before.
How Do Pets Get Liver Flukes?
Most pets pick up liver flukes by:
- Swimming in infected freshwater (like rivers, lakes, or ponds)
- Eating infected frogs, lizards, or snails
Here’s how the life cycle works:
- The fluke eggs leave the body through poop of an infected animal.
- If the poop ends up in water, the eggs hatch.
- The young parasites find and grow inside certain freshwater snails.
- The flukes leave the snail and swim around looking for a new host—like your dog or cat.
In 2019, two dogs in Los Angeles County were diagnosed with liver flukes, even though they hadn’t traveled outside the area. That tells us these parasites may be spreading.
Risk in the Fort Mohave Area
Liver flukes have been found in snails in the Colorado River near the Arizona-California border. Pets who swim or wade in these waters are at risk. If your dog loves the water, it’s a good idea to stay alert. Liver flukes are not passed from pet to pet, or from pets to people. While this species of liver fluke can penetrate human skin, it causes a rash and doesn’t develop into a full infection.
Signs of Liver Flukes in Pets
Some pets don’t show any signs of illness. Others may show signs that can be confused with other health problems. These include:
Early or Mild Symptoms
- Low energy
- Less interest in food
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Drinking or peeing more
- Belly discomfort
Severe or Long-Term Symptoms
- Poor body condition
- Liver damage
- Low protein in the blood
- High calcium levels that affect the kidneys
- Protein in the urine
There have also been reported cases of lymphoma potentially linked to prolonged infection, though further research is ongoing.
How Are Liver Flukes Diagnosed?/h2>
Your vet will start with a full health check and might do blood tests or imaging. Regular fecal tests often miss liver fluke eggs, so special tests are needed.
Testing May Include:
- PCR testing: A very accurate test that finds parasite DNA in poop.
- Ultrasound: Can show changes in the liver or intestines.
- Bloodwork: May show unusual liver values or high eosinophils (a type of white blood cell).
Treating Liver Flukes in Dogs and Cats
There isn’t one standard treatment, so your vet will create a plan based on your pet’s needs.
Medications Often Used:
- Fenbendazole: Given in several doses to fight the parasite.
- Praziquantel: Used in high doses to kill adult flukes
Some pets may feel a little sick during treatment, and a few might need more than one round of medication.
Preventing Liver Flukes
There’s no quick test for checking if water is safe. So the only way to completely prevent liver fluke infection is to keep your dog away from the Colorado River and other standing freshwater.
We understand that living near the Colorado River means many families enjoy taking their dogs swimming—and we don’t want to discourage that! Dogs can absolutely keep enjoying the water. However, if your dog goes the river, we recommend regular testing for liver flukes as a precaution. Keep in mind that liver flukes won’t show up on tests until about three months after exposure, so it’s important to work with your veterinarian to create a testing schedule that makes sense for your dog’s lifestyle. Regular monitoring can help catch infections early and keep your pet healthy while still enjoying all the river has to offer.