In cattle, the organism is transmitted to the female vagina and uterus from the foreskin of the bull where the parasite is known to reside.

The parasite is 5-25 μm in size and is spindle shaped with four flagella, which are whiplike projections, and an undulating or wavy membrane.

In cows, there may be infertility, embryonic death and abortion, and reproductive tract infections such as pyometra.

However, the irregularities after initial infection present obvious clinical signs of reproductive inconsistencies, which should be examined by a veterinarian immediately.

Ipronidazole is probably most effective but, due to its low pH, frequently causes sterile abscesses at injection sites.

Bulls can also remain carriers for life and can easily be susceptible to reinfection even after successful treatment.

Cows can be treated by being left alone for around three months to allow them time to shed the vaginal and uterine lining that is affected.

Commercially available vaccines (TrichGuard,[8] Tricovac[9]) cannot prevent infection, but confer disease attenuation and some level of protection against complications.

However, in the case of artificial insemination, while T. foetus is capable of surviving the process used to freeze semen after collection, it is usually killed by drying or high temperatures.

[13] Tritrichomonas foetus in cattle is often attributed to direct transmission via reproduction with an infected individual; however, studies have documented evidence of T. foetus persisting in the intestinal tract of the housefly, suggesting a possible mode of transmission outside of reproduction.

[14] Tests performed on feline T. foetus have also shown its persistence in room temperature, humid environments for up to ten days.

Doctor Jody L. Gookin and her colleagues identified Tritrichomonas foetus, which causes diarrhea in domestic cats.

There is no evidence that T. foetus is sexually transmitted or infects the reproductive tract or mammary glands of cats.

However this can take many months, and cats which no longer show clinical signs can continue to shed the organism for up to two years.

In some cases, the symptoms may improve over time, but the animal is likely to still be a carrier of the parasite, capable of transmitting it to another cat.