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Testing your herd for PI Persistent BVD Infection
What you don't know
WILL hurt you!!!
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BVD and Persistent Infection Frequently Asked Questions |
Q. What is Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVD)?
A. The BVD virus is one of the most economically significant viruses affecting both the dairy and beef industries in the U.S. It has been estimated that as many as 70% of BVD virus infections are sub-clinical. These infections may not be readily visible but can be costly by reducing growth, production and reproduction within a herd.
Q. How is BVD transmitted?
A. Cattle infected with BVD can shed virus through virtually any bodily fluid making it one of the highest contagious diseases in U.S. cattle herds.
Q. What is a persistent BVD infection?
A. Some calves born persistently infected (PI) with BVD virus posing a serious threat to the health of the herd. PI calves are born from a pregnant cow that is exposed to BVD virus during the first 5 months of gestation. These PI calves may be born weak, deformed or may appear completely normal yet always shed large amounts of virus into their invironment.
Q. What effect can a PI animal have on the rest of the herd?
A. In a herd situation, a single PI animal can expose many other pregnant cows that may then produce PI calves of their own. Since a PI animal sheds vast amounts of BVD virus, they can cause wide array of health problems within a herd or pen. Increased respiratory disease (pneumonia), diarrhea (scours), and reproductive failures (abortions, mummifications, congenital defects) are the main symptoms of cattle challenged with BVD virus.
Q. How can I test my herd to see if BVD is already present?
A. Calves less that 12 months should be tested by sending a skin (ear notch) sample to our lab. Adult cattle can be tested with either blood (serum) or skin samples (ear notch) submitted to our lab.
Q. How can I keep BVD from entering my herd?
A. Control and prevention of BVD in your herd involves a two-pronged attack: PI testing and proper vaccinations. Once you have screened your cattle initially for PI, testing all future calves and purchased additions will prevent a PI BVD animal from physically entering your herd. Vaccinating your calves and open adults with several properly timed doses Express FP10 vaccine will prevent the virus from spreading within your herd should they ever get exposed. Call or email us for a specific testing and vaccination plan for your herd.
INEXPENSIVE INSURANCE - At only $6.25 per sample testing your herd for BVD PI has never been easier or more economical!!!
Volume discounts available - give us a call. |
Q. How much does the PI test cost?
A. NEWLY UPDATED! BVD PI testing (skin/blood) @ &6.25 per animal. One published study showed that a single PI animal in a dairy herd resulted in further health-related losses of over $35.00 for every other cow in the herd.
Click here to download the BVD PI Test
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Q. How do I obtain a skin or blood sample
from my animals?
A. A medium pig ear-notcher works best if used on the lower aspect of the ear where the notch can be seen from a distance yet does not affect the function or the ear flap. (see illustration 1) Place each skin sample into separate labeled tube. Blood samples should be collected into a 3cc red top tube using a new needle for each animal as shown in Illustration 2.
Getting Started
A small (2cc) sample of blood from adult cattle can be used in place of an ear notch as shown in Illustration 2 if desired. Place ear notch or blood samples in air tight zip-loc bag prior to shipment. Include ice packs in box to keep samples cool during transit. Complete submission forms and include in shipping box.
Click here for shipping instructions and to download test form to mail in with your blood sample or ear notch
Learn how you can adopt an inexpensive laboratory test for persistently infected BVD (PI) animals in your herd and other proven biosecurity measures to increase your herd's profitability through improved health management.
Call us at (715) 653-2201 or contact us here for more information.
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