WHY TEST FOR BVD?

 

BVD (Bovine Viral Disease), is a viral disease of cattle that can cause subtle, hard-to-recognize signs that can be very costly causing many problems in a herd. Although the name would make you think diarrhea is the major problem, in most herds infertility is the most common and costly problem because it can go undiagnosed. Other problems caused by BVD include deformed calves, pneumonia, still births, abortions and immunosuppression. Reducing exposure risk with sound biosecurity combined with vaccine use will produce a strong preventive strategy for BVD control.

 

Do you have it?


To test for BVD, ear notches or other skin samples can be tested. Newer testing methods pool several samples together to screen a herd for BVD. If a pooled sample is positive, individual samples are tested by the lab to find the infected animal(s). Testing can be done as soon as all calves are born and before breeding season starts. Fortunately, the Vantage program by Intervet/Schering-Plough is offering you BVD-testing across Canada to help drive improvements in your herd’s health and performance. As a VANTAGE-certified producer, you let feedlot operators know you’re committed to providing high-quality calves. To sign-up, ask your veterinarian about BVD-testing that will help drive improvements in your herd’s health and performance.

 

How do you keep BVD out?

 

Vaccinate

Modified-live vaccines (MLV) for BVD, such as Vista offer high protection especially when it comes to protecting against CI (congenital infection) and future PI cases (fetal infection protection). It’s a fact - by not vaccinating your cows at the right time, there’s more of a chance to persistently have dead calves. Evidently, by vaccinating healthy cows and heifers prior to breeding combined with sound biosecurity, you can help prevent persistently infected (PI) calves caused by BVD (Types 1 and 2).

 

The Vantage Cattle Performance Program - the benefits are obvious:

  • Vista®- the only vaccine that allows you to vaccinate your cows right before breeding1
  • Correct cow vaccination with Vista® can help eliminate PI calves
  • With Vista® and Vision®, you have the convenience of just 2 needles giving you the most complete coverage of cattle-related diseases giving your calves the most complete coverage
  • SubQ administration in line with BQA
  • Respiratory Duration of Immunity (DOI) for IBR, BVD Type 1 and BVD Type 2
  • Vista® - Only vaccine with complete congenital infection (CI) protection for the fetus

 

1 M. Bolton, D. Brister, B. Burdett, H. Newcomb, S. Nordstrom, B. Sanders and T. Shelton. Reproductive Safety of Vaccination with Vista 5 L5 SQ Near Breeding Time as Determined by the Effect on Conception Rates. Veterinary Therapeutics 2007. Vol 8(3):177-182