Disease Testing

CattleTestsBVD-PI

Now offering BVD-PI testing using blood samples for cattle

Red top tubes must be used for blood collecting for BVD-PI testing

Tests are $7.00 per test

If you are interested in other disease tests for your cattle, sheep or goats please contact us. We are looking to add more services as the need is there.

Is BVD in your herd?

What is BVD – Bovine Viral Diarrhea is an extremely contagious virus that can lead to significant economic impact and reproductive performance in a herd. A PI (Persistently Infected) calf can show no signs of the virus but expose an entire herd to the virus. A PI calf will be infected their entire life and can shed the virus at very high levels a day potentially creating an infection in bred cows which will lead to more PI calves.

How does BVD spread?

Infected animals can shed the virus in saliva, nasal and eye discharge, urine, feces, milk and semen, exposing other animals (horizontal transmission).

It can only be spread short distances through large “droplets” (especially saliva and nasal discharge) and cannot be spread by the wind.

Potential Impact Economically

  • Poor reproduction
    • Abortions and stillborns
    • Birth defects
    • Decreased or delayed conception
  • Increased health problems of other bovine
    • Bovine respiratory disease/Pneumonia
    • Decreased milk production
    • Calf Scours
  • Persistently Infected calves continuing to grow in your herd

What can you do?

  • Test your calves for BVD-PI.
    • Calves can be tested at 90 days of age.
    • If a calf is negative the cow is negative.
    • Positive calves should be removed from the herd or isolated
  • Buy from certified BVD-free herds
  • Test all new additions to your herd if not purchased from a certified BVD-free herd. If you bring in just one BVD-PI cow you could create a problem.
  • Vaccinate regularly