July 8, 2010

Bovine trichomoniasis in Colorado under control

The state veterinarian says he is encouraged to see a low number of Colorado counties where cattle have tested positive for a disease that can cause fertility problems for cows.

State Veterinarian Keith Roehr said efforts by agriculture officials and the livestock industry to test and monitor animals and educate producers seem to be working.

The state Department of Agriculture said Tuesday (July 6) that bovine trichomoniasis has been found in five Colorado counties so far this year. Those counties are Conejos, Crowley, Prowers, Rio Blanco and Saguache.

The venereal disease was found in cattle in nine Colorado counties last year, 17 counties in 2008 and 13 counties in 2007. No facilities are under quarantine.

Bovine trichomoniasis is a venereal disease that occurs to cattle. The disease does not make cattle outwardly sick, but causes reproductive inefficiency in the affected herds.