Beef Herd Abortion Case

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Beef Herd Abortion Case

• Marta Grinde
• Kelsi Hendrickson
• Chrissy Wendorf

2
History

• 25 angus cows in NY purchased at auction
• Vaccinations
• Previous history unknown cattle were purchased
  at auction
• BVD, Lepto, 7-way Clostridia, MLV nasal for IBR
  PI3 upon arrival at farm
• Purchased new heifer 2 months later
• Vaccinations
• Previously had been vaccinated with
  IBR/BCD/BRSV/PI3, Blackleg, Lepto (5 strain), and
  Enterotoxemia C D

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Evidence

• 5 later-term abortions
• 1 stillborn, 2 ataxic calves with cerebellar
  hypoplasia and 2 early neonatal deaths (1 calf
  had lesions in mouth)
• Abortions occurred 1-3 months after introduction
  of new heifer
• Cows were not acting right
• Anorexia and diarrhea
• Four months after purchase, heifer develops
  symptoms
• High fever
• Diarrhea with blood
• Mouth sores
• death

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Explanation

• BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhea)
• Common symptoms
• Premature births, weak or stunted calves
• Damaged immune system (ex higher incidence of
  pneumonia)
• High fever and diarrhea
• Mucosal virus
• Causes development of mouth sores, high fever and
  bloody diarrhea
• Always carriers of BVD
• Most severe symptoms in pregnant cows and heifers

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Future Suggestions

• Do not purchase cattle without knowing farm and
  individual animal history
• Test cattle of unknown status
• Vaccinate cattle as heifers
• Modified live vaccines are more effective than
  killed (which is for use in pregnant animals)

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References

• http//www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/dair
  y/facts/bovinevi.htm
• http//extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsh
  eet/AH_Dairy_06.pdf