Content
Trichomoniasis in cattle is often the cause of miscarriages and infertility. This causes significant economic damage to farms and households. The most common disease occurs in cattle in some regions of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and the countries of Central Asia. Adults who have had trichomoniasis have resistance 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 to be discarded.
What is Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis (Trichomonosis) is an invasive disease that occurs in acute and chronic form. It is manifested by 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 towards the flow of tissue fluids, so they can easily move in the genitourinary system of the animal.
Parasites are quite active outside the cattle organism; they can exist separately from the host for up to a month. The temporary habitat of Trichomonas is moisture, manure, bedding, urine, a variety of care items and hygiene products. In the body of cattle, parasites can live for up to 2 years in the vagina, urethra, prostate gland, seminal ducts.
Pathogen and ways of infection
Trichomoniasis is caused by unicellular parasites of the Trichomonade family. They have an oval, pear-shaped, fusiform body with three flagella in front and one behind. The cell body consists of cytoplasm, nucleus, vacuoles. The movement is carried out with the help of flagella, around the axis of the body forward. The main feature of this type of Trichomonas is the presence of a lateral undulating membrane of the axial rod - aksostil. Other flagellate protozoa do not have such an organ.
They multiply by simple, multiple division in the longitudinal direction or by budding, depending on the type of pathogen. When exposed to unfavorable environmental conditions, outside the host's body, they form capsules with a strong shell - cysts. They feed on blood cells, mucus, enzymes. Penetrating into the genitals of cattle, they immediately begin to multiply. Within a few days, Trichomonas causes an inflammatory process on the mucous membranes. Their vital activity is accompanied by the release of certain enzymes that are capable of disrupting the connection of the uterus with the embryo and interferes with the adequate nutrition of the fetus.
The source of infection is animals infected with trichomoniasis. Particularly dangerous are individuals that 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 sperm of the male is infected. Pathogens can also be found on an artificial vagina. When semen is collected, microorganisms can infect healthy animals. Trichomoniasis can be transmitted through household contact when using hygiene products, for example, towels, when rubbing the crotches 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 pregnancy of cows, this leads to a malnutrition of the fetus, improper synthesis of glycogen and some hormones, 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 does not have an incubation period.
Symptoms of trichomoniasis in cows:
- a slight increase in body temperature;
- constant movement of the hind limbs;
- manifestation of anxiety;
- constant tail flicking;
- looking back;
- loss of appetite;
- decreased milk production;
- urge to defecate;
- discharge from the genitals similar to pus;
- early miscarriage of pregnant cows;
- swelling of the vulva;
- redness of the vagina;
- rash on the mucous membranes of the genitals;
- 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 is covered with nodules, then necrotic ulcers;
- discomfort on palpation of the penis.
After moving the pathogen into the seed appendages, a number of symptoms disappear, the individual becomes a carrier of the disease.
The acute form of trichomoniasis in cattle ends in recovery within 1-2 months. If the uterus is infected, the discharge becomes more abundant, they indicate the development of purulent-catarrhal trichomoniasis. Animals during this period are not fertilized, and pregnant cows have a miscarriage. In sick animals, barrenness, repeated hunting, overtravels are observed, pyometritis develops - an accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity.
Chronic manifestations of trichomoniasis in cattle are poorly expressed. In males, the disease proceeds without symptoms, but their potency decreases and reproductive function weakens. Cows have frequent abortions, and milk production is significantly reduced.
Trichomoniasis in cattle is not fatal. But with pathological studies, cows reveal a thickening of the uterine wall, purulent exudate up to 5-7 liters, vestibulitis of the vaginal mucosa, purulent-catarrhal vaginitis, cervicitis. The aborted fetus and the placenta are edematous, the oviducts are slightly thickened. Ovarian cysts are often found. In bulls, many small nodes are located on the genitals. Traces of inflammation appear in the testes, seminal ducts, and gonads.
Testing cows for trichomoniasis
The diagnosis of trichomoniasis in cattle is based on the detection of Trichomonas by microscopic examination, when sown on a nutrient medium. For examination, mucous discharge from the genital organs of cattle, sperm or an aborted fetus, part of the placenta are sent to the laboratory. Samples are made on the Wednesday of Petrovsky, Volkov. In cows, parasites can be detected 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 should be comprehensive, all drugs and procedures are prescribed by a veterinarian.Therapeutic measures consist in 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 solution, is injected subcutaneously once a day for 3-5 days;
- of antibiotics, Trichopolum or Trichomonocide is prescribed.
For the treatment of bulls, the same drugs are used, except for them, antiseptic ointments can be used. The genitals, foreskin can be treated with furacillin or proserin for 7-10 days.
If trichomoniasis in cattle is detected on the farm, quarantine must be established. During this period, it is impossible to remove animals from the herd and bring new ones.
Forecast and prevention
As a rule, the prognosis of the disease in cattle is favorable, subject to timely recognition of trichomoniasis by laboratory tests, complex treatment prescribed by a qualified specialist, and repeated tests after complete recovery.
Despite the fact that trichomoniasis in cattle responds well to treatment, parasites can harm animals, after which cows and bulls lose their reproductive function. This means huge economic losses for the herd owner. 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, stall, machines, tools. They must be processed regularly. For these purposes, soda ash, caustic soda, and creolin solution are used.
- New specimens should be kept separately until analyzes for trichomoniasis are ready.
- Infected cattle are also kept in a separate room. It also needs to be processed daily using special tools.
- Male patients with trichomoniasis must be discarded.
- Sperm from cured bulls can be used after several negative tests.
- In case of artificial insemination of cattle, it is necessary to comply with the basic sanitary standards; all instruments are sterilized before the procedure.
- If one infected individual is found, 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 start treating cattle. This will help avoid epidemics in the herd.
Conclusion
Trichomoniasis in cattle cannot be transmitted to humans, however, 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 undergoes a mandatory examination. If there is the slightest suspicion of trichomoniasis, then after the slaughter they take tests for the disease. In case of positive results, all affected organs, cattle tissues are urgently disposed of.
