Farm animal abortion Flashcards
what is the most common cause of abortion in cattle
non-infectious causes
these are more difficult to diagnose
what is the most common cause of abortion in sheep
infectious causes- most of these are zoonotic
List 4 reasons to investigate abortions
public health- zoonotic disease risk
economic
establish significance
statutory requirement- brucellosis
List 5 samples to send off in cases of abortion
Placenta- want cotyledons
Fetal samples:
- Stomach contents
- Spleen
- Hind brain
- Kidney
At what point do we intervene with abortions
2-3%
List 6 key questions when taking history to investigate abortion case
closed herd?
vaccinations- storage
dam health
previous test results
herd disease status
current husbandry policies
List the 3 main causes of abortions in sheep
EAE - enzootic abortion
Toxoplasma
Campylobacter
List 2 zoonotic cause of abortion in sheep
toxoplasma
EAE- enzootic abortion- chlamydia abortus
when does abortion generally occur in enzootic abortion
in last 3 weeks of gestation
what causes enzootic abortion in sheep
chlamydia abortus
gram -ve bacteria
when can sheep get infected with enzootic abortion
before or during pregnancy
what gross lesions do you tend to see with enzootic abortion
Thickening of the placenta between cotyledons (placentitis) and brown exudate.
what gross lesions do you tend to see with toxoplasma
Dark cotyledons and white speckles of necrosis. Inter-cotyledonary area grossly normal
list some immediate actions to undertake when there is abortion cases
isolate ewe
treat systemic disease
don’t foster lambs
mark the ewe
good hygiene and biosecurity
highlight zoonotic risk to farmer
Describe how to prevent toxoplasma infections
prevent transmission from cats- keep out of feed stores
vaccination
describe some control measure for enzootic abortion
purchase accredited disease-free stock and keep separate until after first lambing
vaccinate
how can giving oxytetracycline help in a EAE abortion storm
give ewes between day 90-126 gestation- to try and help maintain placenta
List 5 possible non-infectious causes of abortion in cattle
genetic
nutritional
traumatic
toxic
iatrogenic
List 2 viral causes of abortion in cattle
BVD
IBR