Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Bovine Besnoitiosis Welfare

Besnoitiosis is an emerging protozoan disease causing chronic skin disease and infertility in cattle. Understanding the condition enables prevention in at-risk areas.

Key Facts

Besnoitia besnoiti causes thickened skin, alopecia, and testicular damage in bulls
The disease is spreading northward in Europe from Mediterranean regions
Biting insects transmit the disease between cattle
Chronic infected cattle develop an elephant-like skin texture (sclerodermatitis)
No effective treatment or licensed vaccine is available in most countries

Welfare Considerations

Cattle with chronic besnoitiosis suffer progressive skin disease - thickening, cracking, and loss of normal skin function - alongside testicular damage causing infertility in bulls. The condition causes long-term discomfort and production failure. In the absence of effective treatment, management focuses on preventing transmission and culling severely affected animals to prevent further suffering.

What You Can Do

Be aware of besnoitiosis as an emerging disease risk in Europe
Implement insect control measures to reduce transmission risk
Work with your vet to monitor cattle for skin lesions in endemic areas
Report suspected besnoitiosis to veterinary authorities in countries where it is not established