Livestock

Trichomoniasis in Cattle: Reproductive Welfare and Control

Welfare guide to bovine trichomoniasis -- a venereal disease causing early pregnancy loss in cattle.

Key Facts

Bovine trichomoniasis is caused by Tritrichomonas foetus -- a sexually transmitted protozoan parasite
It causes early embryonic death and abortion -- cows repeatedly fail to maintain pregnancy
Affected cows cycle repeatedly without establishing pregnancy -- a significant welfare and productivity concern
Bulls act as symptomless carriers and are the primary source of infection in a herd
The disease is most common in range cattle systems where bulls run with cows continuously
Diagnosis requires PCR testing of preputial smegma from bulls or uterine lavage from cows
Infected bulls must be culled -- there is no effective treatment for carrier bulls
Prevention includes testing bulls before entry into breeding groups and using AI to avoid bull transmission

Welfare Significance

Trichomoniasis causes welfare harm through repeated early pregnancy loss -- a cycle of conception and spontaneous abortion that repeats until management intervention. Affected cows lose body condition through extended unproductive cycling, and the psychological welfare impact of unsuccessful pregnancy maintenance is not fully understood. Systematic bull testing and AI use eliminates the disease.

What You Can Do

Test all bulls by PCR before each breeding season in range and extensive systems
Cull any bull testing positive for trichomoniasis -- there is no treatment option
Consider artificial insemination as a disease-free alternative to natural service
Report trichomoniasis to your vet immediately -- tracing contacts through the herd is essential