Rumen fluke - information  30 April 2012  A case of rumen fluke
has been diagnosed in a Soil Association licensee's cattle in
Somerset.  Rumen fluke (paramphistomosis) is pretty rare in
England (5 published cases). It is very prevalent in the tropics
but is also common in Ireland. The cases in England have mainly
been in Cornwall in Devon, so it is good to be aware of it as it
seems to be working its way north (slowly).  Rumen fluke operate
in the same way as liver fluke but attach themselves to the
rumen lining (first stomach) instead of the liver. Like liver
fluke the rumen fluke need a secondary host to be able to
complete their life cycle. They use a similar snail as the liver
fluke, therefore cases are more likely to occur where stock have
access to wet areas of land.  The rumen fluke is more resilient
than the liver fluke and the only anthelmintic to affect the
parasite is Oxyclosanide. Only 2 products are on the market
containing this chemical; Levafas Diamond and Downland Fluke and
Worm.  It is likely