Spotlight on Trichomoniasis

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By: Dr Paris Ryf, Ruminants Marketing Manager at Zoetis

This is a brief overview on what Trichomoniasis (often referred to as “trich”) is, how to avoid it and what to do if your herd contracts it.

“For a cow-calf operation, there’s not another disease that comes close to the economic impact of trich with all the lost pregnancies and culls,” says Mr Johnny Hesterman, a Simbra farmer from Northern Kwa- Zulu Natal. Just 3 years ago Mr Hesterman had a trich infection in his herd.

Although he maintains a closed herd, cattle from surrounding areas managed to break through surrounding fencing resulting in a trich outbreak in his herd.

“I noticed there was a steep decline in calving percentage- I normally have an 80% calving percentage but with the trich challenge it dropped to 60%. I called my veterinarian in who tested the herd and confirmed that trich was the culprit. I had to slaughter my older bulls as they would remain infected. Since then I have been vaccinating my cows with TrichGuard® and am in the process of erecting new game fencing to keep neighbouring cattle out. My calving percentage has since returned to 80%. A single calf pays for about 200 doses of TrichGuard® so for me the return on investment is very clear. I never want a trich outbreak again”.

Trichomoniasis is a microscopic parasite (Tritrichomonas fetus) spread during breeding from infected bull to cow and infected cow to bull. Cows can lose their pregnancies resulting in a prolonged breeding season, a low calf crop and lower weaning weights.

Affected bulls carry the parasite in the crypts of their penis and preputial sheath, yet do not show any clinical signs. Since these crypts develop with age older bulls (4+ years) become permanently infected and carry the disease into the next breeding season, whereas infected younger bulls tend to “clean up”.

The affected cows carry the organism in the vagina and uterus. In cows, trich typically manifests in two forms: In the first, a higher number of open cows at pregnancy diagnosis may be the only sign as affected cows may become pregnant, undergo early embryonic death and cycle regularly without showing any signs.

In the second form, the affected cow cycles regularly and clears the infection after 3 cycles, developing a short-lived immunity. Cows can become reinfected and abort during the first third to mid‐gestation if they become pregnant. In both forms, cows may develop pyometra (a pus‐filled uterus with no signs of cycling). This can also be confirmed at pregnancy diagnosis.

Diagnosis is based on culture or PCR detection of the organism from samples obtained from the bull by a veterinarian or diagnostic laboratory. It is recommended that three successive cultures be taken at one- to two-week intervals. Finding the organism in just one bull indicates an infected herd.

Neighbour’s untested bulls, the addition of new bulls without testing, commingling of cows with no known history, and retaining open cows for next breeding season were some of the contributing factors to a trich outbreak.

Management Tips:

• Test and slaughter of infected older bulls is recommended.
• Test all incoming bulls, heifers and cows for trich
• Cull open cows
• Maintain good fencing
• Comingle only cows with known history
• Replace old bulls with young bulls
• Vaccinate cows with TrichGuard®

FOR ANIMAL USE ONLY

TrichGuard®: Reg. No.: G1749 (Act 36/1947). Killed, concentrated cultures of Tritrichomonas foetus. For full prescribing information refer to the package insert approved by the medicines regulatory authority.

Zoetis South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Co. Reg. No.: 2012/001825/07, 6th Floor, North Wing, 90 Rivonia Road, Sandton, 2196. Tel.:+27 11 245 3300 or 0860 ZOETIS (0860 963847). www.zoetis.co.za.

FOR ANIMALS. FOR HEALTH. FOR YOU.  

References:

Kasimanickam, R. Ten Facts about Trichomoniasis in Cattle. Washington State University Veterinary Medicine Extension[internet].2010 January [cited 2021 July 1]; Available from:

https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2147/2015/03/TrichSpotlight20112.pdf

Irsik, M. Trichomoniasis. University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. 2010 July[cited 2021 July 1];Available from:

https://extension.vetmed.ufl.edu/files/2012/02/Trichomoniasis-april-issue-FCA-2011.pdf

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