Parasitism : how can parasitic infestations in ruminants be effectively controlled?

3 minutes
Animal Production
June 6, 2025

Parasitism: how can parasitic infestations in ruminants be effectively controlled?

Parasitic infestations pose a major threat to the health, welfare and performance of ruminants. By compromising growth, milk production and disease resistance, internal and external parasites cause considerable economic losses for livestock farms (estimated at several hundred million euros per year in Europe). By impairing animal health, they harm their overall well-being and reduce their productive potential. Rigorous management, combining monitoring, prevention, treatment and targeted solutions, is therefore essential to limit their impact.

Internal parasites : an often invisible enemy

Internal parasites mainly colonise the digestive and respiratory systems of ruminants, causing a variety of disorders :

Anaemia (often with submandibular oedema)

Species	Parasite	Other associated signs
Small ruminants	Haemonchus contortus	Rapid mortality, weakness
Cattle	Haemonchus placei	Weakness, delayed growth
Small animals/Cattle	Fasciola hepatica	Weight loss, liver disorders

Diarrhoea (acute or chronic)

Species	Parasite	Other associated signs
Small ruminants	Trichostrongylus spp	Black diarrhoea, weight loss
Cattle	Trichostrongylus axei	Watery, weakness
Small ruminants	Ostertagia spp	Chronicle, prickly hair
Cattle	Ostertagia ostertagi	Greenish, slow growth
Cattle	Cooperia oncophora	Mild, subclinical
Small ruminants	Nematodirus spp	Profuse, dehydration
Cattle	Paramphistomum spp / Calicophoron calicophorum	Mild, subclinical
All	Strongyloides spp	Watery, sometimes dermatitis

Weight loss, anorexia, growth retardation

Species	Parasite	Other associated signs
Small ruminants	Cooperia spp	Subclinical, growth retardation
Small ruminants	Chabertia ovina	Bloody diarrhoea, colic lesions
Cattle	Cooperia punctata / pectinata	Slowed growth, diarrhoea
Cattle	Oesophagostomum radiatum	Abdominal pain, intestinal nodules
Cattle	Fasciola hepatica	Reduced production, hepatomegaly
Cattle	Calicophoron calicophorum	Fatigue, digestive problems

Dermatitis, skin lesions (migrating larvae)

Species	Parasite	Other associated signs
Small ruminants	Strongyloides spp	Dermatitis, coughing possible
Cattle	Bunostomum phlebotomum	Skin irritation, anaemia

External parasites : a source of stress and disease

External parasites live on the skin of cattle and feed on blood, causing stress, irritation and the transmission of pathogens :

Ticks : transmit serious diseases such as piroplasmosis and anaplasmosis. In addition to their role as vectors, they cause blood loss and local inflammatory reactions.
Lice : cause intense itching, skin lesions and reduced feed intake.
Mites : cause severe itching, scabs and deterioration of skin quality. A heavy infestation leads to generalised weight loss.
Flies : disturb cattle, reducing their feed intake and rest time. Some species carry pathogens, exacerbating their impact on health.

Prevention and control strategies

To protect the health of ruminants in the long term, parasite control must be based on a comprehensive approach combining several complementary measures.

Environmental monitoring and hygiene

Clinical observation and faecal analysis (coprology) can detect signs of infestation. To limit parasite pressure, it is essential to implement practices such as pasture rotation, mixed grazing and rigorous cleaning of buildings.

Sustainable pest control treatments

Alternating between anthelmintic and acaricidal molecules is essential to prevent resistance. This strategy can be supplemented by alternative solutions such as predatory nematodes or natural extracts with repellent effects.

Coprology: a tool to be interpreted with caution

While flotation, sedimentation and McMaster techniques can be used to quantify eggs in faeces, they have limitations: they cannot detect eggs in the early stages, and eggs may be poorly excreted or difficult to differentiate between species.

Blood tests : an essential supplement

To refine the diagnosis and better target treatments, blood tests provide valuable additional information : Active parasitic infection via signs such as anaemia or hypoproteinaemia; Liver damage through serology (Fasciola hepatica) or enzyme testing (GGT, ASAT); Chronic infestation through observation of hyper eosinophilia.

These tools not only confirm the diagnosis, but also monitor the effectiveness of the interventions implemented.

Additional prevention and control strategy

At TIMAC AGRO, we offer targeted support and innovative, tailored solutions to limit the impact of parasites :

Functional nutrition: Feed enriched with specific trace elements supports the immune system of ruminants.
Accurate diagnosis: Thanks to the expertise of its advisors, TIMAC AGRO helps farmers identify periods of risk so that preventive measures can be taken to address issues related to parasitism.
Sustainable management of antiparasitic treatments: advice on the strategic and alternating use of molecules, limiting the risk of resistance.
Sustainable innovation: solutions incorporating natural active ingredients and specific formulas to improve animal welfare.
Field support: Our experts work with farmers in the field to develop customised parasite management plans tailored to each farm’s specific context.

Effective control of internal and external parasites is essential to ensure the health, well-being and performance of cattle. By combining monitoring methods, optimised management practices and a rational approach to treatments, farmers can limit economic losses and improve the resilience of their herd.

Parasitism : how can parasitic infestations in ruminants be effectively controlled?