Herd Tests Negative for BVD/Johne's/BLV Diseases

We work hard to maintain biosecurity and are getting better at it all the time. As part of our measures we have "spot tested" annually for six years. Most of the concerns are highly contagious so completely testing at least one cow is a fair way to determine if all the cows are infected. This year we tested Betsy. She was a good candidate because she has been with us for a full year and she was in milk. It's easy to collect milk to mail to the lab. We're happy to announce Betsy, and therefore our herd, is Negative for BVD/Johne's/BLV.

Merck Vet Manual website explains them well.  Click on the embedded links below to learn why we test for these diseases and work hard to maintain a clean herd.

BVD, Bovine viral diarrhea, is most common in young cattle (6–24 mo old). The clinical presentation can range from inapparent or subclinical infection to acute and severe enteric disease to the highly fatal mucosal disease complex characterized by profuse enteritis in association with typical mucosal lesions.

In pregnant cattle, BVDV may cross the placental barrier and infect the fetus. The consequences of fetal infection usually are seen several weeks to months after infection of the dam and depend on the stage of fetal development and on the strain of BVDV. Infection of the dam near the time of fertilization may result in reduced conception rates. Infection during the first 4 mo of fetal development may lead to embryonic resorption, abortion, growth retardation, or persistent infection. Congenital malformations of the eye and CNS result from fetal infections that occur between months 4–6 of development. Fetal mummification, premature birth, stillbirth, and birth of weak calves also are seen after fetal infection.

Persistent infection is an important sequela of fetal infection with noncytopathic BVDV. Persistently infected calves may appear healthy and normal in size, or they may show stunted growth and be prone to respiratory or enteric ailments. They often have a short life span, and death before 2 yr of age is common. Persistently infected cows always give birth to persistently infected calves, but most calves sired by a persistently infected bull will not be infected with virus in utero. Lesions attributable to BVDV often are not seen in persistently infected cattle at necropsy. Antibody against BVD seldom is detected in persistently infected cattle in the absence of vaccination or superinfection with an antigenically heterologous BVDV. Persistently infected cattle exposed to BVDV that is antigenically different from their resident noncytopathic virus can produce antiviral antibody. Therefore, screening for persistent infection using serologic tests to identify animals that lack antiviral antibody may not detect some persistently infected cattle.

Johne's, Paratuberculosis, is a chronic, contagious granulomatous enteritis characterized in cattle by persistent diarrhea, progressive weight loss, infertility, debilitation, and eventually death.

BLV, Bovine lymphosarcoma, Leukemia, Malignant lymphoma., animals commonly show lesions in the central or peripheral lymph nodes, leading to lymphadenopathy. Lesions of the abomasum may lead to signs of cranial abdominal pain, melena, or abomasal outflow obstruction. Pelvic limb paresis progressing to paralysis can occur in animals with extradural spinal lesions. Retrobulbar lesions cause protrusion of the globe, resulting in exposure keratitis and eventually proptosis. Lesions of the right atrium may be mild and undetectable clinically, or may cause arrhythmias, murmurs, or heart failure. Uterine lesions may lead to reproductive failure or abortion. Lesions of the internal organs typically involve the spleen, liver, or kidneys and ureters. Lesions of the spleen are often initially asymptomatic but may result in rupture of the spleen and exsanguination into the peritoneal cavity. Lymphosarcoma of the liver is often asymptomatic but may lead to jaundice and liver failure. Disease of the kidney and ureter can lead to abdominal pain and the subsequent development of hydroureter or hydronephrosis and clinical signs associated with renal failure.

Additionally, two of our Jersey family milk cows are going to homes out of state.  They're required to have a veterinarian physical inspection and Health Certificate to cross state borders.  Both Buttercup and Munchkin were tested Negative for TB and Tuberculosis.

Our entire herd is compliant with the Idaho required vaccination program for BANGS Disease, Brucellosis.  They are vaccinated by a veterinarian between 4-12 months, ear tagged with a serial number, and tattooed in the right ear.

​We're so happy to know our cows have the best chance at a long, productive life.  Any new animals joining our herd are screened by a vet before leaving their previous home, fully tested, and quarantined for a month of observation upon arrival.  As we learn more, we implement additional protocols to protect our herd from these deadly infections.

All the best,
Lorinda