Diagnosis of Trichomoniasis

Herd History and Culture Techniques

Abstract

Trichomoniasis is a venereal disease of cattle characterized by infertility, early embryonic death and occasionally by pyometra and abortion. The etiological agent is a protozoan, Tritnchomonas fetus (T. fetus). Diagnosis of trichomonad pyometra by rectal palpation is a method not emphasized enough by most articles or text books. A skilled palpator will find this indeed a highly accurate method. Direct examination of the protozoan from an aborted fetus, or the pus from a pyometra, as well as culture in Diamonds media from preputial smegma of the bull or cervicovaginal mucus of infected cows is accurate in obtaining a diagnosis.
Perhaps the disease shouldPerhaps the disease should be of reportable status because many infected cattle are sold through auction, or private treaty, only to spread the disease to other herds.