Testing for trichomoniasis, or trich, is essential to help ensure herd health and profitability. The bovine venereal disease lives in the epithelial of the penis and prepuce and is considered a lifelong infection in bulls. Infected bulls transmit trich to most females they service. Cows can clear the disease but will abort calves or become infertile. Trich is easily transmitted and virgin bulls can become positive if mingled with trich-positive cattle.
Source: BEEF, March 9, 2018. Link. Once it is identified, producers need to work closely with their veterinarian, as well as regulatory officials. Trich is easily transmitted. Once the organism is introduced into a herd, the damages can be staggering.”
Source: Southeast AgNet, January 22, 2020. Link. (audio) If we can prove that they’re positive prior to turning them into the herd, we can cut down on a lot of these cases. Once they get into that herd and start breeding the cows, then it’s very easy to spread, not only from cow to cow, but from other bulls that are out there.” Jody Wade, cattle professional services veterinarian, Boehringer Ingelheim