As immunity to the C. fetus develops, the bacterium is gradually cleared from the uterus and infected animals may become pregnant again. Unfortunately the organism is not cleared immediately from the vagina and can remain there for up to two years. In the bull, the organism that causes bovine campylobacteriosis inhabits the sheath but does not cause clinical disease. Older bulls are more likely to be infected, are not easily rid of the bacterium and are an important source of infection for cows. Antibiotic treatment under most beef management systems is not practical but if chosen must be started within three weeks of infection.
Vaccination is the best method for both control and prevention of bovine campylobacteriosis.
The primary vaccination should be two doses given six weeks apart and administered to all bulls and cows in a herd. Every year, a booster should be given 10 days before the bulls are turned out for the breeding season. This disease is caused by Ureaplasma diversum , an organism that appears to be widespread in cattle herds in Alberta, Ontario and the United States. Research into bovine ureaplasmosis is not near as complete as for bovine campylobacteriosis, but it is known that the organism causes infertility, abortion and the birth of weak calves. It appears the disease is transmitted to a susceptible female by the bull at breeding or by nose to vulvar contact of cows in heat.