10- abortion work-up in cow workshop

Question 1

Why does legislation require that all cattle abortions are reported to APHA?

Answer 1

part of Brucellosis surveillance strategy

Question 2

When abortion samples are submitted, why are diagnostic rates low in cattle?

Answer 2

there are lots of non-infectious causes of abortion that are difficult to definitively diagnose

Question 3

Why are most diagnoses made in foetuses aborted during the last trimester?

Answer 3

Foetuses aborted earlier are likely to be small, and can be easily missed. In cattle, pregnancy is CL dependent up to around 200 days, so later abortions are likely to be expelled with less autolysis.

Question 4

list 3 bacterial causes of abortion in cattle

Answer 4

leptospira hardjo
salmonella sp
bacillus lichenformis
listeriosis monocytogenes
brucella abortus- notifiable
trueperella pyogenes

Question 5

List the viral causes of cow abortion

Answer 5

BVD
IBR

Question 6

what is a protozoal cause of abortion in cows

Answer 6

neospora caninum

Question 7

what is a fungal cause of abortion in cows

Answer 7

Aspergillus

Question 8

Describe how to approach an abortion case- herd history

Answer 8

individual or multiple affected
recent management changes
housed or at grass
vaccine status
biosecurity status

Question 9

Describe how to approach an abortion case- clinical exam

Answer 9

systemically sick
what stage of gestation
how old
bought in?
other clinical signs
abnormalities in the calf or placenta