Trichomoniasis, commonly referred to as “trich,” was recently identified in a Lincoln County herd. Trichomoniasis is a venereal disease of cattle caused by the protozoa Tritrichomonas foetus. The disease is transmitted from cow to cow by infected bulls, and reduces calf production by decreasing fertility and inducing abortions.
Heifers and cows usually clear the infection in three to six months, but bulls carry the infection for life without showing signs of disease. No medically approved treatment is available, so detection and control of infected bulls is key to containing the disease. Positive bulls are removed from the herd and considered cull animals for slaughter purposes only.
This is the second case of trich in Wyoming this year. In January, a case was confirmed in Fremont County. Following testing, the affected herd was removed from quarantine in July. Prior to the Fremont County case, Wyoming had been trich-free since 2016.
Bovine trichomoniasis has been prevalent in many Western U.S. states for decades, and documented in Wyoming since the 1970s. Testing is the only way to confirm the disease’s presence.
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Wyoming Livestock Board/Northern Ag Network
