Hi friends, thank you for clicking on my post this evening, so on today's episode of exploring animal, we will be exploring the Bovine Virus Diarrhoea, if you have been following my post, you know that we have been exploring different existing animal diseases and infections, both the zoonotic and the non-zoonotic ones, which implies that, the ones that can get transferred to humans and the ones that cannot get transferred to humans
Bovine virus diarrhoea is a viral disease that basically affects cattles, but it has the capacity to affect other ruminants as well.This disease causes reproductrive losses as well as a wide range of other disease syndromes that can find their way to the cattle. With the emergence of this virus in cattles, the cost of reproductive failure and production losses would be adversly affected. This virus was identified first in the USA, it was found in a herd of cattle suffering from acute gastroenteritis with the involvement of high mortality rates. Right from the time of discovery, BVDV has presented itself as one of the main viral pathogens that affects cattle's all around the globe.
researchgate.net
BVDV can get transmitted through one of these ways;
- A congenital infection of the fetus.
- A congenital infection after birth.
- Contact with recently infected or peristently infected virus.
- Contact with infected formites like; equipment, water buckets,clothings, calf feeders, and even infected humans.
These methods are literal ways for herds to get BVDV;
The purchase of replacement animals through an auction market is a serious way for the animals to get BVDV while they get moved through the market, animals get stressed as they are moved through the market which lowers their immunity.There is a strong chance that when these animals get to the farm, they will be shedding/incubating the virus.The fetuses of the pregnant animal stand a high risk of getting infected when they move through the market, it is either they get infected persistently or they are up for abortion.
Mixing new animals with older ones: It is significant for farm owners to understand that the idea of isolating a new animal remains very important, when new animals are set aside for some time, it gives an opportunity for every disease they have to get exposed rather than having the virus exposed to the remaining herd.
Absence of vaccines: A proper vaccination program will help with the prevention of illness in the animals.
Absence of test on new animals: Even while your farm animals are appropriately vaccinated, you still need to test new ones before they mix with other farm animals, as BVDV carriers shed a large percentage of virus that may overwhelm even the strongest of vaccination.
A contaminated semen: If the use of natural semen is used, then you may be using semen that is contaminated BVDV, if the bull is one that is infected persistently or just recently infected.
The importance of animal vaccination is to avoid the spread of deadly infections through animals on the farm and a good case study I BVDV, if BVDV get to a non-vaccinated or not properly vaccinated animal, it would get to spread from one animal to another but with vaccination, the entire situation would be appropriately contained. Cattles that are exposed to the virus at 125 days into their pregnancy journey, and a great chance of giving birth to highly persistent infected calves, when thes calves are mixed with the other animals, they become a continuous source of the virus that would get to perpetuate the disease int he herd.
researchgate.net
It is advisable that once a case of BVD is found among the herd, every calf born within the next 12 month should go through the phase of testing for persistent infection, the carriers should also be removed from the herd instantly.
Acute infection of BVDV infection include; loss of appetite, fever, nasal discharge, ocular discharge, diarrhea, reduced milk production but in calves, cerebellar hypoplasia is the most common birth defects, the symptoms are; stumbling, tremors, widestance and tremors. In severe cases, the calf would die.
The whole concept on preventing BVDV from affecting your pet is through avoiding immunity and maximizing the exposure of the herd to the virus, also depending on weather the farm is a close or opened one, and animal feasibility amongst other factors, are basic considerations to bear in mind.
Vaccination: BVD vaccination is a major part of the prevention procedure, the vaccines ar available in two major forms, we have the modified live and the killed version, both form of vaccines have their advantage as well as thier disadvantages. Both forms of vaccine if applied appropriately, would help to prevent the transmission of BVD virus to the fetus, it could also help prevent abortions as well as prevent the possibility of birthing an infected calf.
However, I would like to mention that, vaccines are preventive measures not treatment options, do not wait for BVD to happen before making the choice of vaccination, if you do that, many of the animals would have gotten infected by BVD already. Whenevr there is about to be a movment or assmblying, they just should go through vaccination and remember the need for the isolation of new animals as mentioned above, vaccination could also fail in an environment where there is poor nutrition.
Biosecurity: BVD outbreaks are commonly linked with new animals getting mixed with farm herds, it is a good option to practice close herds. It is however unfortunate that, it is difficult to achieve this since most farms have to import their equipment from outside sources.
Even if you cannot practice close herd system, ensure proper management, make sure that you are following through on vaccinating vry instrumnt that would come into your farm and that would be used on your animals. Also, as much as you can, avoid auction market.
Conclusion.
The safety of farm animals has to be considered significantly, BVDV can become really severe and even result in the death of farm animals, take a step forward to make sure the animals are appropriately vaccinated and bfore a new animal is introduced, it should be isolated for sometime, this will help us figure out the presence of any infection present in th animal.