BVD Flashcards
Which virus causes BVD?
Pestivirus
What are the 2 biotpyes of related strains of BVD?
- Non-cytopathogenic = BVDnc (persists in the cattle population)
- Cytopathic = BVDc (arises from the non-cytopathic strain through spontaneous mutation)
What is type 1 and type 2 BVD?
- Type 1 (most common presentations) – BVDnc and BVDc (the one we have in the UK and the most popular)
- Type 2 (rare form in UK) - BVDnc and BVDc (more severe disease)
What is the clinical picture of type 1 BVDV?
Hint: Its a cute little flow diagram thing
ACute infection of type 1 BVD:
A) What are the clinical signs?
B) What is the viral clearance time?
C) What is the AB response?
A) Mild (diarrhoea, reduced production, often barely noticeable)
B) 10-14 days
C) Slow, plataeu at 10-12 weeks
When is BVD worse in calves?
Respiratory infection = +other viruses (IBR+RSV) +bacteria (M. haemolytica)
Enteric infection = BVDV +other viruses (corona & rota)
+bacteria (Salmonella spp. etc
Name 4 of the effects type 1 BVDV has on repro performance (5)
- Embryo loss
- Congenital defect
- Abortion
- Normal calf
- PI calf
What is the effect if the cow is affected in the first third?
Foetus not immuno-competent
Embryonic death (early or late)
Foetal death and mummification
Foetus survives but born persistently infected (PI)
What is the effect if the cow is affected in the middle third? (3)
Foetus largely immuno competent
Foetal death/abortion
Foetus survives but born with congenital damage (due to the immune response to the virus)
What is the effect if the cow is affected in the last third? (3)
Foetus immuno -competent
Active foetal antibody response
Calf normal, virus negative
Name congenital defects of being affected with BVD in the middle third
cerebellar hypoplasia arthrogryposis, microphthalmia, cataracts, hydrocephalus, musculoskeletal malformations, and alopecia
What is the effect on the immune system of being a PI of BVDV?
No immune response to the virus
Is antibody/antigen positive or negative if there is a creation of a PI calf?
AB -ve
Ag +ve
Is antibody/antigen positive or negative if there is a creation of a normal calf, congenital defect or aborted calf?
AB +ve
Ag-ve
Is the AB and Ag positive or negative if there is a production of a normal calf when affected wth BVD in pregnancy?
Ab +ve Ag -ve
Where do PI come from? (2)
Cow who is PI will have a PI calf.. A lot of these don’t actually make it to give birth! So a vast majority of cases aren’t from here..
Which cows can the cyotpathic BVD affect?
Those with non-cytopathic infection of BVD (those with a poor immunity)
What are the clinical signs of mucosal disease?
- Severe ulceration of the oral and gastrointestinal mucosa, often with foul smelling diarrhoea, weight loss and death
- +/- respiratory signs
- Often depressed, anorexic, dehydrated
- Animals usually develop MD between 6-18 months
- Range < 1 month to > 10 yrs
- Usually rapid in onset and always fatal in outcome
What is the differential other than mucosal disease for this?

Differentials for this cow:
Foot and mouth (some of these CS wouldn’t be seen with F&M)
F&M – would probably see lameness too
Call the APHA if worried
Which cows does mucosal disease develop in?
Those that are persistently infected with non cytopathic BVD virus
Type 2 BVD:
A) What happens with the acute disease?
B) When is virus clearnace?
C) What are the signs?
D) What is the cross protection to Type 1 BVDV antibodies?
A) generally severe disease often fatal, usually adults
B) 28-38 days
C) thrombocytopenia, diarrhoea, haemorrhagic disease
D) Weak cross protection
What are the 3 ways a bull can bring in BVD to a herd?
- Can be PI
- Can be acutely infected (be unlucky as usualy clear in 2-3 week)
- Rare: virus can ‘hide’ in testicles “immunological privileged site”
- Hence can be blood Ab positive, antigen negative yet still spreading virus!
- Only identified by semen sample virus testing!!
- Persistently produce PI sperm!
- Cumulus effect
How can you diagnose BVD?
- Viral antigen and antibody tests
- Both can be identified in blood and milk
- Ag also skin, hair, semen etc
- Both can be used on bulk milk (dairy herds)
- Viral Ag can be detected in bulk milk, from 1 PI in 300 cows!
- Both can be identified in blood and milk
How can we identify PI early in calves?
- Virus can be readily identified in blood samples pre-colostrum or from older calves (>8mths)
- detection in blood can be hampered in younger animals by maternal antibodies
- Possible to look for viral Ag in calves of any age by using ear tissue samples, where high levels of antibody are less likely (part of the tagging process)
- Special ear tags/applicators which collect tissue sample at same time as putting ear tag in
- Tissue sample becomes sealed in the collector ‘cup’ which can be sent to a lab or tested on site.
- Farmer can take sample
- Feasible to do every calf born
- Less likely to be masked by AB