Bvd

[Limcrazy]

Bvd is only transmitted to the unborn calf and its it that becomes a PI. Cow will not be a PI from that infection though could have a short term infection and show antibodies which would help her with immunity long term.
You could have PI cows carrying bvd though fairly unlikely as they mostly show symptoms.
Problem comes when a PI bull, Bullock, cow, calf gets into or against your own cattle during their pregnancy.
Tag testing will tell you what's there but only vaccination will protect from neighbouring cattle.

 

[biggles]

Just another update, tested another batch and also retested the previously inconclusive one, the batch is all negative except the inconclusive one is again inconclusive, the readings both times for him seem much higher than the others, what is the likely prognosis for this fellow, he’s looks fine and is doing well, and his mother is fit and healthy looking, mother would be about 6 years old. I’ve not turned her back to the bull yet because of this but I don’t really want to kill her calf if it’s not got bvd. What’s peoples thoughts? Cheers

 

[Henarar]

I still think your problem may not be DVD at all

Best to get the vet to do a pool blood test of a few of the cows to see if its circulating in the herd, if you can get it done on the DVD free scheme then so much the better but get it done as soon as pos so you know what your up against

 

[biggles]

I still think your problem may not be DVD at all

Sorry forgot to mention that when testing, the vet took 6 samples of blood, she was limited as for that scheme they had to be between certain ages. They came back showing bvd exposure. So now I’ve got the job of sussing out where the culprits are, if they are hear. That’s why I’m concerned about this double inconclusive. Sent eight more tags off today so fingers crossed, vet said test all calves that will sort out all the cows, when they come in at back end will blood test all the ones that are outside that aren’t in calf yet, would do them now but it’s just very difficult to get them home and in at the minute. Cheers

 

[Henarar]

Sorry forgot to mention that when testing, the vet took 6 samples of blood, she was limited as for that scheme they had to be between certain ages. They came back showing bvd exposure. So now I’ve got the job of sussing out where the culprits are, if they are hear. That’s why I’m concerned about this double inconclusive. Sent eight more tags off today so fingers crossed, vet said test all calves that will sort out all the cows, when they come in at back end will blood test all the ones that are outside that aren’t in calf yet, would do them now but it’s just very difficult to get them home and in at the minute. Cheers

Ahh that shines a different light on it
you may not find any PI's
what to do about the calf I don't know, what did the vet say about it ?

 

[biggles]

Ahh that shines a different light on it
you may not find any PI's
what to do about the calf I don't know, what did the vet say about it ?

vet says she’s never had this before. Options are, do nothing treat it as all clear or
Keep cow and calf in till back end and test cow with other one s needing blood testing, fatten calf (bull) quick and get it gone straight from isolation to slaughter or 3rd option kill calf now and test cow, I’m all for getting clear of bvd but I’m struggling with the thought of killing a calf that twice has tested “not positive” but also hasn’t tested “negative” I must be a glass half full person!
Cheers

 

[Stw88]

vet says she’s never had this before. Options are, do nothing treat it as all clear or
Keep cow and calf in till back end and test cow with other one s needing blood testing, fatten calf (bull) quick and get it gone straight from isolation to slaughter or 3rd option kill calf now and test cow, I’m all for getting clear of bvd but I’m struggling with the thought of killing a calf that twice has tested “not positive” but also hasn’t tested “negative” I must be a glass half full person!
Cheers

Blood test the calf. That over rules the tag test and will give you a yes or no.

 

[Henarar]

Blood test the calf. That over rules the tag test and will give you a yes or no.

Be tempting to test the cow as well?

 

[twizzel]

Sorry forgot to mention that when testing, the vet took 6 samples of blood, she was limited as for that scheme they had to be between certain ages. They came back showing bvd exposure. So now I’ve got the job of sussing out where the culprits are, if they are hear. That’s why I’m concerned about this double inconclusive. Sent eight more tags off today so fingers crossed, vet said test all calves that will sort out all the cows, when they come in at back end will blood test all the ones that are outside that aren’t in calf yet, would do them now but it’s just very difficult to get them home and in at the minute. Cheers

If the vet did the exposure bloods through the scheme can they get funding for a PI hunt? That’s what we did and found the PIs quickly, got rid of them and vaccinated the cows/tag test the calves and now hopefully clear of it 12 months on. Take your vets lead on it but the quicker you find out the PI animals the less impact they make in terms of financial, herd health, stress for you.