Farm animal abortion Flashcards by Helen West

what is the most common cause of abortion in cattle

non-infectious causes
these are more difficult to diagnose

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what is the most common cause of abortion in sheep

infectious causes- most of these are zoonotic

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List 4 reasons to investigate abortions

public health- zoonotic disease risk
economic
establish significance
statutory requirement- brucellosis

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List 5 samples to send off in cases of abortion

Placenta- want cotyledons

Fetal samples:
- Stomach contents
- Spleen
- Hind brain
- Kidney

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At what point do we intervene with abortions

2-3%

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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

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List the 3 main causes of abortions in sheep

EAE - enzootic abortion
Toxoplasma
Campylobacter

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List 2 zoonotic cause of abortion in sheep

toxoplasma
EAE- enzootic abortion- chlamydia abortus

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when does abortion generally occur in enzootic abortion

in last 3 weeks of gestation

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what causes enzootic abortion in sheep

chlamydia abortus
gram -ve bacteria

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when can sheep get infected with enzootic abortion

before or during pregnancy

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what gross lesions do you tend to see with enzootic abortion

Thickening of the placenta between cotyledons (placentitis) and brown exudate.

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what gross lesions do you tend to see with toxoplasma

Dark cotyledons and white speckles of necrosis. Inter-cotyledonary area grossly normal

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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

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Describe how to prevent toxoplasma infections

prevent transmission from cats- keep out of feed stores
vaccination

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describe some control measure for enzootic abortion

purchase accredited disease-free stock and keep separate until after first lambing
vaccinate

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how can giving oxytetracycline help in a EAE abortion storm

give ewes between day 90-126 gestation- to try and help maintain placenta

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List 5 possible non-infectious causes of abortion in cattle

genetic
nutritional
traumatic
toxic
iatrogenic

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List 2 viral causes of abortion in cattle

BVD
IBR

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what is a fungal causes of abortion in cattle

Aspergillosis

Name a protozoal causes of abortion in cattle

neospora canium

List 4 diseases can cause prostaglandin release and subsequent abortion

Salmonella
Johne’s disease
Lungworm
Pasturella

what pathogen causes toxoplasma

toxoplasma gondii- protoza

how do sheep become infected with toxoplasma

via ingestion of oocysts shed in cat faeces

List 4 signs of campylobacter infection in sheep

abortions in the last 6 weeks of gestation weak lambs if born alive d+ in ewes grey necrosis on the foetal livers

can we treat ewes with EAE

sometimes if they are between day 90-126 they can be given oxytetracycline

How can we vaccinate ewes which may have come into contact with EAE

vaccinate 6-8 weeks before lambing and pre-tupping the following year

What is the most commonly diagnosed cause of infectious abortions in cattle

Salmonella Dublin and Neospora

Is it a legal requirement to report bovine abortions in the UK

Yes- Brucellosis order

Can we vaccinate against salmonella

yes- can be given as a preventative or in the face f an outbreak

Can you vaccinate against BVD

yes- but not in the face of an outbreak

Are antibiotics indicated in cows infected with salmonella

only if they are clinically ill

what can you test for in an aborted lamb placenta

chlamydia abortus-EAE toxoplasmosis

what can you test for in aborted lambs foetal fluid

toxoplasma leptospirosis

what can you test for in aborted lambs fetal liver or spleen

border disease

what can you test for in aborted lambs fetal stomach contents

salmonella campylobacter listeria

Describe how EAE spread

sheep to sheep via uterine discharge aborted material faeces

If ewes become infected with EAE in late pregnancy, what can occur

they can abort at their next pregnancy

what is the source of a toxoplasmosis infection

cat faeces from a young or immunocompromised cat

What is the source of infection in cases of campylobacter

carrier ewe mechanical transmission by birds or ewes

List the clinical signs of campylobacter

abortion in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy weak lambs grey areas of necrosis on fetal livers ewes may have d+

Describe how to diagnose campylobacter

gram smear of the placenta and fetal stomach contents

can we vaccinate against campylobacter

yes - but not avaliable in UK

what is the source of salmonella infection in sheep

carrier sheep wild birds

what are the clinical signs of salmonellosis in sheep

metritis and scour in ewes aborted or weak lambs

is there a vaccine for salmonella in sheep

yes- the cattle vaccine can be used

what is the source of infection with border disease

PI lambs

what are the clinical signs of border disease

dependent on stage of gestation during infection - resorption, mummification, abortion, stillbirths, hairy shaker lambs