Trichomoniasis

Published April 15, 2023

Tritrichomonas foetus is a protozoan parasite that is sexually transmitted in heifers, cows, and bulls. Cattle infected with this organism exhibit decreased fertility and increased incidence of abortion and pyometra (infection of the uterus). 

This week I helped test a bull for trichomoniasis. During the procedure, a tissue sample was obtained by scraping the inner sheath of the penis with a pipette. The sample was sent to a specialty laboratory for analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Should the results come back positive, the bull will be slaughtered to prevent the spread of this disease to the herd.