Rumen flukes

Rumen flukes are parasitic flatworms that infect ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The adult worms live in the rumen, while the immature stages damage the small intestine, causing the disease known as paramphistomosis.

They require a snail as an intermediate host and spread through contaminated water or vegetation carrying infective larvae.
The disease mainly causes severe diarrhoea, rapid weight loss, reduced milk production, and “bottle jaw” swelling.
Control and treatment include anthelmintic medicines, proper grazing management, and pasture control.