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Description
Caused by the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum and is the commonest cause of abortion dairy cattle. It also causes stillborn calves and congenitally infected calves can have encephalomyelitis and paresis. Abortion usually occurs between 5-7 months of gestation but can occur as early as 3 months. Often no other clinical signs are present in the cow.
Signalment
Neospora has been documented to infect cattle, sheep goats and the dog.
Diagnosis
Clinical Signs
Often infected cattle present with no clinical signs other than abortion. Calves can be born with encephalomyelitis causing various neurological signs. Repeat abortions are often reported in affected animals due to a persistent infection.
Laboratory Tests
Pathology
Non-suppurative encephalitis is most commonly seen in aborted faeces.
Treatment
Do not allow dogs access to calving cows, placental membranes and aborted or dead calves
Do not allow dogs to defecate in cattle feeding areas
Identify and cull seropositive cattle, or do not breed from them or their progeny
Select seronegative cattle for breeding
Vaccinate is possible but only in the USA. It is a killed protozoal vaccine for healthy, pregnant cows and is given in the first 3 weeks of pregnancy and then every 3-4 weeks during gestation. Revaccination with 2 doses should be undertaken during each subsequent pregnancy.