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
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
