Survey of Rural Farm Cats Infected with the Parasite Tritrichomonas foetus

Abstract

Trichomonas foetus is a sexually transmitted protozoan parasite that has long been known to cause endometritis, abortion, and pyometria in cattle. Pathology studies and molecular data have recently recognized T. foetus within the large intestines of felines, which can cause large bowel disease. Stockdale et al. (2009) observed 173 cats from several states, excluding Wisconsin, of which 10% were affected. Rural areas surrounding Eau Claire provide an opportunity to determine the prevalence of infection in felines, due to its abundance in farms which can provide shelter to numerous cats.