Bovine abortion: Investigation + control

Question 1

What samples would you take of a calf and what would you test for?

Answer 1

− Placentome or placenta
− Spleen = bvd pcr
− Liver = IBR + bacteriology
− Stomach contents = bacti e.g. Salm; campy
− Kidney = lepto
− Brain = Neospora
− Left ventricle
− Thyroid
− Eyelid = ureaplasma; fungal hyphae in hair follicles
− Paired dam serology

Question 2

What does a large thyroid indicate?

Answer 2

• Goitre = iodine deficiency = causing abortion

Question 3

What test can be done for BVD?

Answer 3

• Detect PI in blood from one month of age
• Ear notch tissue test when tagged
• Check test (5 per group)
• Bulk tank PCR

Question 4

How do you test for campylobacter?

Answer 4

• Preputial washing of bulls
• phosphate buffered saline warmed
• Prevent faecal contamination
• Discard urine contaminated samples
• Delivery to laboratory within 4-6 hours of collection
  Tx = streptomycin
• Vaginal mucus collection

Question 5

How can you test for IBR?

Answer 5

• Serology - ELISA
• Swabs - immunofluorescence

Question 6

How can you diagnose neospora?

Answer 6

• MAternal serology
• test calf at birth - indicates dam infected if calf is +ve

Question 7

How can you test for lepto?

Answer 7

• Serology
• Identification of leptospires from abored tissue, blood or urine by immunofluorescence or PCR

Question 8

How do you treat lepto?

Answer 8

• Steptomycin
• Oxytetracycline
• Most people just vaccinate

Question 9

What are risk factors for lepto?

Answer 9

• Buying in stock…test
• Natural service…AI
• Co-grazing with sheep…avoid
• Watercourses… fence off