Content
Trichomoniasis in cattle is often the cause of miscarriages and infertility. This causes significant economic damage to farms and households. The disease most often occurs in cattle in some regions of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Central Asian countries. Adults who have recovered from trichomoniasis are resistant to these parasites in the future, but the disease often leads to a number of complications associated with reproductive function, after which many cattle are subject to culling.
What is trichomoniasis
Trichomonosis is an invasive disease that occurs in acute and chronic forms. It manifests itself as abortions in cows at an early stage of pregnancy, metritis, vaginitis, in bulls - impotence, balanoposthitis (inflammation of the inner layer of the prepuce and the membrane of the penis). Trichomonas are able to move against the flow of tissue fluids, so they can easily move in the genitourinary system of the animal.
The parasites are quite active outside the body of cattle and can exist separately from the host for up to a month. Moisture, manure, litter, urine, various care items and hygiene products become the temporary habitat of Trichomonas.In the body of cattle, parasites can live for up to 2 years in the vagina, urethra, prostate gland, and seminal ducts.
Pathogen and routes of infection
Trichomoniasis is caused by single-celled parasites of the Trichomonade family. They have an oval, pear-shaped, spindle-shaped body with three flagella in front and one behind. The cell body consists of cytoplasm, nucleus, and vacuoles. Movement is carried out using flagella, forward around the axis of the body. The main feature of this type of trichomonas is the presence of a lateral wavy membrane of the axial rod - axostyle. Other flagellated protozoa do not have such an organ.
They reproduce by simple, multiple divisions in the longitudinal direction or by budding, depending on the type of pathogen. When exposed to unfavorable environmental conditions, they form capsules with a durable shell – cysts – outside the host’s body. They feed on blood cells, mucus, and enzymes. Penetrating into the genitals of cattle, they immediately begin to reproduce. Within a few days, Trichomonas cause an inflammatory process on the mucous membranes. Their vital activity is accompanied by the release of certain enzymes that can disrupt the connection between the uterus and the embryo and prevent adequate nutrition of the fetus.
The source of infection is animals infected with trichomoniasis. Particularly dangerous are individuals who have been carriers of the disease for many years and do not show clinical symptoms. Trichomoniasis is also transmitted through instruments during artificial insemination or if the male's sperm is infected. Pathogens can also be on an artificial vagina. When semen is collected, microorganisms can infect healthy animals.Trichomoniasis can be transmitted through household contact through the use of hygiene products, for example, towels, or when wiping the perineums of sick and healthy animals.
Trichomonas are capable of causing pathological processes in the body not only by themselves, but also by the products of their vital activity. The microflora of the mucous membranes exacerbates inflammatory processes. During the pregnancy of cows, this leads to malnutrition of the fetus, improper synthesis of glycogen and some hormones, and a decrease in the production of progesterone and endorphins. The consequence of trichomoniasis is fetal death and damage to tissues and mucous membranes.
Symptoms of trichomoniasis in cattle
In cows and bulls, the symptoms of trichomoniasis are slightly different. The first signs of the disease are visible a few hours after infection, since trichomoniasis has no incubation period.
Symptoms of trichomoniasis in cows:
- slight increase in body temperature;
- constant movements of the hind limbs;
- manifestation of anxiety;
- constant tail fanning;
- looking back;
- loss of appetite;
- decreased milk productivity;
- urge to defecate;
- discharge from the genitals similar to pus;
- miscarriage in pregnant cows at an early stage;
- swelling of the vulva;
- vaginal redness;
- rash on the mucous membranes of the genital organs;
- pain on palpation;
- rashes appear at the bottom of the vagina and around the cervix - dense nodules the size of a pea.
In bulls, the clinical manifestations of trichomoniasis are weaker, the symptoms are as follows:
- redness, inflammation of the prepuce;
- pain when urinating;
- purulent discharge from the genital organ;
- the mucous membrane becomes covered with nodules, then with necrotic ulcers;
- discomfort when palpating the genital organ.
After the infectious agent moves into the seminal appendages, a number of symptoms disappear, and the individual becomes a carrier of the disease.
The acute form of trichomoniasis in cattle ends with recovery within 1-2 months. If the uterus is infected, the discharge becomes more abundant, indicating the development of purulent-catarrhal trichomoniasis. Animals do not become fertilized during this period, and pregnant cows miscarry. Sick animals experience barrenness, repeated hunting, excessive walking, and develop pyometritis - an accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity.
Chronic manifestations of trichomoniasis in cattle are mild. In males, the disease occurs without symptoms, but their potency decreases and their reproductive function weakens. Cows experience frequent abortions and milk production is significantly reduced.
Trichomoniasis in cattle does not lead to death in animals. But postmortem examinations reveal thickening of the uterine wall in cows, purulent exudate up to 5-7 liters, vestibulitis of the vaginal mucosa, purulent catarrhal vaginitis, and cervicitis. The aborted fetus and placenta are swollen, the oviducts are slightly thickened. Ovarian cysts are often found. Bulls have many small nodes on their genitals. Traces of inflammation appear in the testes, seminal ducts, and gonads.
Testing cows for trichomoniasis
The diagnosis of trichomoniasis in cattle is made on the basis of detection of trichomonas by microscopic examination, when inoculated on a nutrient medium. For examination, mucous secretions from the genital organs of cattle, sperm or an aborted fetus, and part of the placenta are sent to the laboratory. Tests are carried out on the Petrovsky and Volkov medium. Parasites can be detected in cows 8-20 days after infection, and in males at any time. When making a diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account the clinical manifestations of the disease, the prevalence of trichomoniasis in the herd or its absence.
Treatment of trichomoniasis in cows
Treatment of trichomoniasis in cattle must be comprehensive; all medications and procedures are prescribed by a veterinarian. Therapeutic measures consist of freeing the genitals of infected animals from parasites and strengthening the general condition of the body. The following treatment regimen for trichomoniasis is usually prescribed:
- means for active contraction of the uterus to cleanse it of pus;
- regular washing of the vagina and uterine cavity with an antibacterial solution;
- metronidazole diluted with novocaine or saline is administered subcutaneously once a day for 3-5 days;
- Antibiotics include Trichopolum or Trichomonocide.
The same drugs are used to treat bulls; in addition, antiseptic ointments can be used. The genital organ and foreskin can be treated with furacillin or proserin for 7-10 days.
If trichomoniasis is detected in cattle on a farm, quarantine must be established.During this period, you cannot remove animals from the herd or bring in new ones.
Prognosis and prevention
As a rule, the prognosis of the disease in cattle is favorable provided that trichomoniasis is recognized in a timely manner through laboratory tests, comprehensive treatment prescribed by a qualified specialist, and repeated tests are carried out after complete recovery.
Despite the fact that trichomoniasis in cattle is highly treatable, the parasites can cause harm to animals, after which cows and bulls lose reproductive function. For the herd owner, this means huge economic losses. Therefore, the most effective method of control is disease prevention. Basic measures:
- The use of only artificial insemination of cows with the sperm of a healthy male. This will significantly reduce the risk of further spread of trichomoniasis in the herd.
- Cleaning and disinfection of the barn, stalls, machines, tools. They must be processed regularly. For these purposes, soda ash, caustic soda, and creolin solution are used.
- New animals should be kept separately until tests for trichomoniasis are ready.
- Infected cattle are also kept in a separate room. It also needs to be treated daily using special products.
- Males with trichomoniasis are subject to culling.
- Semen from cured bulls can be used after several negative tests.
- When artificially inseminating cattle, it is necessary to comply with basic sanitary standards; all instruments are sterilized before the procedure.
- If one infected individual is detected, the entire herd of cattle should be examined for trichomoniasis.
- During the grazing period, livestock breeders should not allow contact with individuals from other farms.
- It is imperative to periodically take bull semen for analysis.
Trichomoniasis spreads quite quickly, so it is important to quickly recognize the disease and begin treatment for cattle. This will help avoid epidemics in the herd.
Conclusion
Trichomoniasis in cattle cannot be transmitted to humans, but in any case it is necessary to strictly observe certain sanitary standards when keeping animals. You should also know that the disease is not transmitted through dairy and meat products, but before slaughter, livestock undergo a mandatory inspection. If there is the slightest suspicion of trichomoniasis, then after slaughter they take tests for the disease. If the results are positive, all affected organs and tissues of cattle are subject to urgent disposal.
