Flukes in the Rumen (Paramphistomum)

27.6.2 Flukes in the Rumen (Paramphistomum)

The rumen fluke, whose scientific name is “Paramphistomum,” can be a problem wherever there exists a certain species of snails and wet conditions such as rice paddies. Even if animals are not grazed on rice paddies, they can be fed rice straw contaminated with the rumen fluke cysts called “metacercariae.”

Life cycle:

 The life cycle is similar to that of liver flukes except the young flukes that emerge from the metacercariae in the intestines travel to the rumen instead of the liver.

Symptoms:

 Rumen flukes may cause diarrhea and poor condition, especially in young animals.

Diagnosis:

 Symptoms: Rumen flukes can be diagnosed on the basis of general symptoms, knowledge that rumen flukes are a problem in your area, and response to treatment.

 Necropsy: Adult rumen flukes are easily seen attached to the rumen wall and look like red kernels of rice.

 Laboratory: Examining fecal specimens for rumen fluke eggs is useful, however infected animals may have a negative result (i.e. no fluke eggs found).

Treatment/Control:

 Killing the rumen fluke larvae will help stop the symptoms of diarrhea. Killing the adult rumen flukes will help decrease contamination of pastures and rice paddies with fluke eggs.

 The medicine niclosamide will treat rumen fluke larvae. The medicines oxyclozanide, and albendazole kill adult rumen flukes.