Trichomoniasis is a venereal disease of cattle, caused by the protozoa Trichomoniasis foetus, commonly referred to as "Trich". Trich causes devastating economic losses in infected herds because of reduced calving rates or increased length of calving season.
Trichomoniasis has been recognized in all major cattle-producing countries during the past 100 years. Because most infected animals do not show any symptoms, the first sign of trouble may be a lower than normal calving rate in herds using natural breeding. In 1990, a random survey of California beef herds showed that more than 15% of the herds had at least one infected bull. The organism that causes Trichomoniasis in cattle is related to the protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis that causes a similar venereal disease in humans. Another similar organism also causes Trichomoniasis in birds, but this infection is primarily a skin and lung infection.
Symptoms and transmission
Bulls are typically asymptomatic for this disease. They spread the organism cow to cow via breeding. The infection in cows then causes early abortions and trouble with fertility until they are able to clear the infection. It takes months before a cow is able to clear the infection and maintain a healthy pregnancy. Infected bulls are not able to clear the infection, and continue to infect cows each breeding season. They need to be identified and removed from the breeding herd.
Prevention
Buy virgin bulls or test any new bulls before adding to the herd. Do not comingle herds. Test all bulls annually to ensure your herd remains clean.
Currently Oregon’s highest risk areas for trich are present in the public grazing areas of Malheur, Harney, Lake, Klamath, and Jackson counties.
Bovine Trichomoniasis Cases in Oregon