Weak and stillborn calves

[Robby1972]

Okay, this article stated unfavorable reactions frequently follow the use of MLV-BVD vaccines. What type of reactions occur?

Also, if a cow has BVD, will the vaccine help/hurt or not make a difference?

[Robby1972]

If I chose to test the cows, where/who do I send the blood to?
Also, how easily is this transmitted?

[S&WSigma40VEShooter]

Okay, this article stated unfavorable reactions frequently follow the use of MLV-BVD vaccines. What type of reactions occur?

Also, if a cow has BVD, will the vaccine help/hurt or not make a difference?

You vaccinate them with killed or mlv virus to prevent them from catching it. Once they have it only thing to cure them would be an innoculation of lead poisoning in the brain.

[S&WSigma40VEShooter]

If I chose to test the cows, where/who do I send the blood to?
Also, how easily is this transmitted?

Have your vet come out and draw blood or you can do this.

http://www.biotracking.com/bvd.php

They charge 3.65 cents per sample to test it.

You can order the kits from them.


Of course having the vet cut a notch out of their ear and send that to them for testing is more accurate than the blood testing you can have them blood tested just not as accurate as the ear notching from what I have heard.

[Robby1972]

Thanks. I've got everything I need to draw the blood. Sent them some samples last year for pregnancy checking. Didn't know they did the BVD test though. I'll see what I can find on the ear notching.

[dun]

Okay, this article stated unfavorable reactions frequently follow the use of MLV-BVD vaccines. What type of reactions occur?

Also, if a cow has BVD, will the vaccine help/hurt or not make a difference?

I saw one and heard of one other that died from the MLV vaccine when they had it. Don;t know what other side effects their may be.

[Robby1972]

I called another vet this morning that does some BVD testing, but have yet for him to call me back.
I checked the biotracking.com website and they will test the ear notch samples as well as blood...whichever you send them. Will try to send them some ear notch samples next week.

[S&WSigma40VEShooter]

I called another vet this morning that does some BVD testing, but have yet for him to call me back.
I checked the biotracking.com website and they will test the ear notch samples as well as blood...whichever you send them. Will try to send them some ear notch samples next week.

Good luck with it.

[Double R Ranch]

If I chose to test the cows, where/who do I send the blood to?
Also, how easily is this transmitted?

Have your vet come out and draw blood or you can do this.

http://www.biotracking.com/bvd.php

They charge 3.65 cents per sample to test it.

You can order the kits from them.


Of course having the vet cut a notch out of their ear and send that to them for testing is more accurate than the blood testing you can have them blood tested just not as accurate as the ear notching from what I have heard.

We had all of our cattle and calves tested via blood. Out of 40 only one came back as a possible possitive and we sent an ear notch in and she was negative. We just did blood because we tested for pregnancy and BVD on the same sample.

[S&WSigma40VEShooter]

If I chose to test the cows, where/who do I send the blood to?
Also, how easily is this transmitted?

Have your vet come out and draw blood or you can do this.

http://www.biotracking.com/bvd.php

They charge 3.65 cents per sample to test it.

You can order the kits from them.


Of course having the vet cut a notch out of their ear and send that to them for testing is more accurate than the blood testing you can have them blood tested just not as accurate as the ear notching from what I have heard.

We had all of our cattle and calves tested via blood. Out of 40 only one came back as a possible possitive and we sent an ear notch in and she was negative. We just did blood because we tested for pregnancy and BVD on the same sample.

That means she probably had titters and had been exposed to it hardcore at some point in time and it showed up in her blood but she had built an immunity to it. That is probably why ear notch came back negatory.

[Robby1972]

I checked the three cows that had the dead calves. Cut the earnotches and took them to the vet. All three came back negative.

[Workinonit Farm]

All three came back negative.

That's good news. Did the vet have any other ideas as to why the calves were still-born/dying?

Katherine

[tncattle467]

I checked the three cows that had the dead calves. Cut the earnotches and took them to the vet. All three came back negative.

Good news,

That means it was something else, Did you all check for neospora? Lepto, Etc? if those are ruled out it could have been a genetic defect with the bull.

[Txwalt]

Could just be a vitamin A defieciency.

Walt

[mtncows]

Keep checking. Weak calves might indicate a selenium deficency.Blood test might show this.You may be in aselenium deficent area since you are in western NC. We are in Va. Closest vet school is Clemson or Va Tech. Was the other bull a PB simm? If not hybrid vigor could have helped overcome problem.