Trich becomes reportable disease in Kansas

Trichomoniasis (infection caused by Tritrichomonas foetus), commonly known as Trich, has been added to the list of officially reportable diseases in Kansas. This means ranchers, managers or veterinarians who discover the existence of Trich, must report it immediately. Bulls coming into Kansas are required to be tested for Trich prior to importation.

Historically, Trich has been a major problem primarily in western states with Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) communal grazing lands. However, this disease has been diagnosed with increasing frequency in many private beef cattle operations in Kansas during recent times.

Both increased testing and improved diagnostic methods have suggested that this disease has a significant presence in Kansas. Trich infection routinely causes female reproductive/infertility problems which clinically appear as repeat breeding and poor pregnancy results. Pregnancy rates may be decreased as much as 50 percent or more when Trich enters the herd.

Many older cows will clear the infection within 3 months and then go on to conceive if the breeding season is long enough. However, calving may be spread out over a longer period of time resulting in wider than expected range in calf sizes. Heifers will rarely rebreed if a short breeding season is used. Herd owners may notice that cows previously observed being bred may be seen taking the bull again later, and that bulls are still working hard late in the breeding season. Open cows or cases of pyometra (pus-filled uterus) detected at preg check time may be a result of Trich infection.

Trich is sexually-transmitted, with bulls being persistent carriers. Infected bulls show no signs of disease. They remain infected for life. Mature bulls are typically more of a problem than younger bulls due to increased preputial wrinkling which provides a better environment for growth of the organism.

There is no treatment that will clear up infected bulls.

Because bulls are the primary carrier of the disease, the focus of all testing programs is to detect and remove infected bulls. Infected bulls and open cows should be sold only for slaughter. Open heifers should be sold only as feeders.

Management practices that will help ensure that you do not bring this disease into your herd include buying young virgin bulls, virgin replacement heifers, "experienced" bulls that test negative, cows with calf at side that have not been re-exposed to a bull, or cows that are known to be at least 120 days pregnant.

All western states and states neighboring Kansas have in place, or are in the process of developing regulations to (1) stop the importation of bulls that might be infected with this disease into the state, and (2) stop the movement of bulls carrying this disease between herds within the respective states. Kansas now has importation regulations and it is anticipated there will soon be regulations to control the spread of Trich within the state.

Trichomoniasis test results from Kansas cattle must be reported to the Kansas Animal Health Department within 48 hours of obtaining results. This applies to tests conducted by an accredited lab in Kansas or reported to an accredited Kansas veterinarian.

Source: Beef Tips article written by Larry C. Hollis, D.V.M, M.Ag, K-State extension beef veterinarian

Editor's Note: Delta George is a K-State Research and Extension agriculture and 4-H extension agent assigned to Bourbon County. She may be reached at (620) 223-3720.