Weigh the Risk of Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis (Trich) is a highly contagious, sexually-transmitted disease in cattle is caused by a microscopic protozoan, Tritrichomonas foetus. Transmission of the disease is when there is an infected bull exposing unexposed cows or infected cows exposing uninfected bulls. A bull is one of the primary carrier of Trich, but, he might not exhibit any outward abnormal clinical signs, and can pass a semen test. Trich does not interfere with a cow’s ability to breed, but to stay bred. Trich results in abortions and infertility, and can be costly to eradicate from a herd.

Prevention is the best course of action when it comes to trich. Here are some things to keep in mind for trich-prevention.

• Keep records in order to evaluate the reproductive status of your herd.
• Pregnancy check in a timely fashion.
• Cull any open female.
• Trich test bulls about two weeks after breeding season. Cull any positive bulls immediately.
• Assess the risk of fence lines or commingle with neighboring bulls.
• Utilize good husbandry practices: prevent and control other reproductive diseases, keep cows in proper body conditions so they can maintain pregnancy.
• Employ trich vaccination as a management tool in at-risk herds.