Farm animals 5 Flashcards
Describe the abortion profile of tritrichomoniasis in cattle (proportion, timing, recurrence)
- Sporadic abortions
- First half of gestation
- Animal gains immunity, but likely not life long so may recur
Describe the pathology and clinical signs seen with Tritrichomonas abortion in cattle
- Placenta: retained, milkd placentitis, haemorrhagic cotyledons, thickened intercotyledonary areas covered with flocculent exudates
- No specific lesions in foetus
- Dam: few clinical signs, may show mild discharge and poor pregnancy rates
- No signs in bull
Give the samples required and method for diagnosis of tritrichomoniasis in cattle
- Placenta, foetus, vaginal/uterine discharge
- Diagnosis: detection of organism in abomasal contents, placental fluids and uterine discharges
Outline the prevention of Tritrichomonas foetus in cattle
Vaccine available but only effective in cows, does not prevent infection of bulls
How is Neospora caninum transmitted in cattle?
Ingestion of oocyst contaminated feed/water (dog faeces)
Describe the abortion profile of Neospora abortion in cattle (proportion, timing, recurrence)
- High proportion in first gestation and when infection enters a naiive herd, up to 30% in first outbreak, 5-10% enzootic
- Abortion can occur at any stag but most comon 5-6 months
- Recurrence decreases with parity but always possible
Describe the pathology and clinical signs seen with Neospora abortion in cattle
- Placenta: no specific gross lesions
- In dogs and dams generally subclinical infection other than abortion
- Foetus: may be autolysed
- Microscopic pathology: focal encephalitis with necrosis and non-suppurative inflammation, hepatitis in foetus
Give the samples required and method for diagnosis of neosporosis in cattle
- Placenta,foetus (brain, heart, liver, body fluids), serum samples from dam
- Diagnosis: detection of antigen in brain histology samples, immunohistochemistry on tissue samples, detection of Abs via PCR or ELISA
Outline the treatment and prevention of neosporosis abortion in cattle
- Treat clinically affected dogs with clindamycin or TMPS, prevent access for feedstuffs
- Do not keep heifer calves born to seropositive cows (may be PI)
How is BVDV transmitted?
Vertical transmission and horizontal
Outline the abortion profile of BVDV (proportion, timing, recurrence)
- Usually low proportion
- Abortion up to 4 months gestation
- Uncommon recurrence - immunity develops
Describe the pathology seen with abortion resulting from BVDV
- Placenta often retained, no specific lesions
- Foetus no specific lesions, autolysed, mummified
- Dam likely no signs, may be PI, sometimes may be small, stunted, oddly haired, poor condition
Give the samples required and method for diagnosis of BVDV as a cause of abortion
- Placenta, foetus (preferably spleen), dam and herdmate serum
- Diagnosis: viral isolation, immunologic staining, PCR, detection of precolostral antibodies in aborted calves
Outline the control of BVDV
- Vaccine before breeding
- Cull PIs
- Screen new animals
- Closed herd
- Buy in from free
Outline the transmission of BHV-1 causing abortion in cattle
- Carriers
- Via WBC to placenta
Outline the abortion profile of BHV-1 (proportion, timing, recurrence)
- 5-60% in non-vaccinated herds
- Abortion at any stage but most common from 4 months to term
- Immunity develops so recurrence uncommon
Describe the pathologic lesions seen with abortion due to BHV1
- In majority of cases no gross lesions
- Placenta: necrotising vasculitis
- Foetus: autolysed, foci of necrosis in the liver
Give the samples and methods required for the diagnosis of BHV1 as a cause of abortion
- Placenta, foetus, serum samples from dam
- Diagnosis: immunohistochemistry in samples from kidney and adrenal glands, blood serology PCR
Outline the control of BHV1
- Vaccination (intranasal)
- Can be used in pregnant cattle
- For eradication use serological surveillance, cull reactors and careful biosecurity
How is bluetongue virus transmitted?
Culicoides midges or semen from viraemic bulls
Describe the abortion profile that results from bluetongue virus (proportion, timing, recurrence)
- Usually low proportion of herd affected
- Variable timing
- Unlikely to recur
Describe the pathology seen with abortion resulting from bluetongue
- Non-specific, foetus autolysed
- Dam shows transient fever followed by hyperaemia, erosions of buccal and lingual mucosa, hypersalivation
Give the samples and methods required for diagnosis of bluetongue as a cause of abortion
- Placenta, foetus, serum samples from the dam
- Diagnosis by virus isolation
Outline the control of bluetongue virus
- Control of midges
- Vaccination of susceptible animals using one serotypes, then another 1 month later
How is Schmallenberg transmitted?
Culicoides midges
Describe the abortion profile resulting from Schmallenberg infection (proportion, timing, recurrence)
- Can be large number, up to 75% of cattle have been exposed
- Between 60-180 days most susceptible to foetal deformity, may be born live or dead at term
- Previous infection does not prevent repeat infections
Describe the pathology seen with abortion resulting from Schmallenberg
- Adults: pyrexia, reduced milk yield, inappetance, loss of BCS, diarrhoea
- Foetus: brain and spinal cord abnormalities with secondary problems of muscles and skeleton
Give the samples and methods required for diagnosis of Schmallenberd virus as a cause of abortion
- Placenta and foetus
- Detection of viral nucleic acid in foetal tissues (brain, placenta, meconium, hair swabs)
- Or detection of virus specific antibodies in foetal heart blood (aborted foetuses) or in serum collected prior to ingestion of colostrum
Outline the control of Schmallenberg virus
- Vaccine available but not generally used
- Possible aid of insecticide, but not good for large scale control
Outline the requirements for sampling when investigating abortion in cattle
- Ideally entire foetus and placenta
- Evaluate appearance before sampling
- Rinse placenta gently with water if contaminated with straw etc.
- Do not place any other samples in bag with placenta tissues
- 2 samples of liver, kidney, spleen (fresh and fixed)
List the fresh samples that may be required in the investigation of abortion in cattle
- Placenta
- Stomach contents
- Spleen
- Hind brain
- Kidney
- Ocular fluid
- Abomasal fluid
- Thoracic fluid
List the fixed samples that may be required in the investigation of abortion in cattle
- Placenta
- Brain
- Lung
- Trachea
- Thyroid
- Kidney
- Heart
What is the collection of ocular fluid samples in an abortion case particular important for?
Look for nitrates - sign of poor quality silage (more common in last few years)
No signs in dam but will cause abortion
What are the 5 main causes of abortion in cattle?
- Neospora
- Lepto
- BVD
- IBR (BHV1)
- Salmonella
How is Salmonella transmitted in cattle?
Spread from carrier animals, GI flora of many animals esp. newly introduced, also rodents and wild birds
Describe the abortion profile of Salmonellosis in cattle (proportion, timing, recurrence)
- Usually sporadic but can take form of abortion storm
- Can occur at any stage
- Recurrence possible
Describe the pathology seen with abortion resulting from Salmonella in cattle
- Cows: clinically ill, septicaemia, enteritis, pyrexia, diarrhoea, dullness, anorexia
- Placenta and foetus autolysed and emphysematous
Give the samples and method for the diagnosis of abortion resulting from Salmonella in cattle
- Placenta and foetus
- Diagnosis: isolation from the abomasal contents and other tissues
Outline the control and treatment of salmonellosis abortion in cattle
- Prevention: good hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, quarantine new stock, vaccinate against S dublin, control birds and rodents
- Treatment: antibiotics (e.g. ampicillin, TMPS) and fluid therapy
Give reasons why a diagnosis is not reached in the majority of abortion cases in cattle
- Non-infectious cause
- Limited on-farm investigations
- Limited farm history and data
- Sample quality and quantity
- Laboratory test limitations (number and quality)
- Diagnostic criteria and sampling bias