CDFA > AHFSS > Animal Health > Bovine Trichomonosis Updates and Information

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Information About Trichomonosis

What is trichomonosis?

Bovine trichomonosis (aka trichomoniasis or trich) is a venereal disease of cattle caused by the protozoa Tritrichomonas foetus. The organism lives in the folds of the prepuce and internal sheath in bulls, and colonizes the vagina, cervix, uterus and oviducts of cows. It causes abortion and extended calving seasons. Bulls will remain persistently infected and spread infection from cow to cow during natural service; however, cows generally clear infection after two to three heat cycles. Bulls over four years old are typically the main reservoir of infection in a herd; this is because older bulls often have deeper preputial folds (crypts), making for a more hospitable environment for trich to live.

T. Foetus Protozoa Certain herd management practices are risk factors for infection; commingled grazing or fence–line contact with other herds is one documented risk factor. Control of T. foetus in an infected herd includes testing bulls and culling those infected. Although use of younger bulls has been recommended as a control strategy because they have a lower prevalence of infection than older bulls, such use will not eliminate the possibility of infection. Artificial insemination is considered the classic method for controlling venereal diseases of cattle. However, this is often impractical in range cattle operations due to lack of facilities, expertise or management practices. Additionally, annual pregnancy testing and culling of non–pregnant cows can help control herd infection. Also, vaccination of females can decrease duration and severity of infection. If exposure to other risk factors cannot be avoided, vaccination is believed to help reduce economic loss.

Why is trichomonosis important?

Trichomonosis can be economically devastating to herds affected. Costs are often insidious and difficult to quantify. Economic losses due to T. foetus infection can exceed 22% of expected annual income, which can exponentially increase with increasing prevalence (number of bulls infected in a herd). Losses to cow–calf herds include cost of replacement bulls, loss of genetic potential due to culling, increased days–to–conception, and subsequently lighter weaning weights. Trichomonosis Foetus thumbnail

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Movement

Current Cattle Movement Trichomonosis Requirements are available on the Cattle movement web page.

Industry Resources

California Control Program

Red Brangus Bull Trichomonosis is a serious economic threat to California’s beef herds. The California Cattlemen’s Association and the Western United Dairymen sponsored legislation to develop a trichomonosis control program. In partnership with the livestock industry, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) developed a program that became effective September 21, 2003. Since then, 156 veterinarians have been approved for trichomonosis sampling, and 61 laboratories have been approved for testing. About 180 infected herds have been diagnosed, and CDFA officials have notified approximately four to six exposed herds for each infected herd. At the request of the cattle industry, the control program was strengthened with new laws that became effective October 5, 2007.

Contact CDFA

CDFA can be contacted via e–mail at trich@cdfa.ca.gov to order additional testing forms, to submit electronic test forms once completed or to ask questions about California's Trichomonosis Program.

Your local Animal Health Branch district office is available to provide guidance to producers and veterinarians in all areas of California's Trichomonosis Program. District offices will be the primary point of contact for investigating positive trichomonosis test results.

Additionally, licensed, accredited veterinarians can request a training video to become approved for Trichomonosis testing through their district office. Veterinarians must go through a training session at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory to be approved to read trichomonosis samples. Your district office can provide further information.

Contact your nearest Animal Health Branch District office

Forms for Trichomonosis Program

For Veterinarians

Sample quality and testing are critical for diagnosing and eradicating trichomonosis. Law requires training and approval by CDFA for veterinarians collecting trichomonosis samples, and for laboratories processing samples.

California licensed, USDA accredited veterinarians can request a training video to become approved for Trichomonosis sample collection in California through their district office. Approval is renewed every two years with CDFA at the same time Brucellosis contracts are renewed.

Laboratories must go through a training session at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory (CAHFS) to be approved to read trichomonosis samples. Laboratories are commonly private veterinary clinics, but can be other private labs. CDFA requires that at least one person in the lab/clinic be trained through a short session at CAHFS; training should be repeated if that person leaves the lab/clinic. Approval will be renewed every two years by CDFA. Scheduling can bedone online at: http://et.cdfa.ca.gov/trich/selfreg/. If veterinarians / clinics do not have web access, they can contact their Animal Health Branch District Office to complete the online scheduling form. CDFA will then contact the individual to confirm training date and location.

For Producers

For Public Sale Yards

Bulls 18 months of age and older without a negative trichomonosis test must be sold for slaughter only. Packers can purchase these bulls for immediate slaughter. Alternatively, these bulls can be sold to dealers who are licensed with California and/or registered with Packers and Stockyards as federally approved dealers; all dealers must have an agreement with CDFA before purchasing untested bulls for slaughter.

Legal References

Trichomonosis is a reportable disease. Veterinarians, laboratories, or owners must report cases of trichomonosis to CDFA within two days of diagnosis. Negative trichomonosis tests must be reported to CDFA within 30 days.

CDFA personnel investigate trichomonosis cases, notify owners of potentially exposed cattle and quarantine bulls in infected and exposed herds. Infected bulls will be quarantined to their facility and may ONLY BE SOLD FOR SLAUGHTER. Additionally, three negative tests at owner’s expense are required for all herdmate bulls, with no less than seven days and no more than 28 days between each test. Owners of exposed cattle will be notified by CDFA and are required to test their bulls once, at their expense.

Contact us for more information:
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Animal Health and Food Safety Services, Animal Health Branch
1220 N Street, Room A–107
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: (916) 654–1447
Fax: (916) 653–2215
or send an email to: trich@cdfa.ca.gov