QUIETLY SPREADING THE VIRUS FOR A LIFETIME
Calves become infected while in the uterus
About 50% of PI calves will be “poor doers” and die before about 1 year of age
The virus suppresses the immune system, making calves more susceptible to other diseases
Other PI calves often show no signs of disease when they’re born
They’ll continue to shed the virus daily, exposing other cattle
of non-vaccinated or immunocompromised cattle become infected when exposed to a PI calf 3,4
SIGNS THERE MAY BE PI CALVES IN YOUR HERD
- More open cows
- Delayed calving periods
- Abortions
- Birth defects
- Weak or dead calves at birth/Calves dying post weaning
- More “poor doer” calves
- Increase in sick calves (scours, pneumonia and lameness)
DEADLY MUCOSAL DISEASE
A highly fatal form of BVD, mucosal disease occurs when PI calves are infected with a cytopathic (cell-damaging) form of BVDV. Signs include:
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Severe ulcerative lesions in nose, mouth and digestive tract
- Death within days