Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System
Globe PADLS right arrow Notes right arrow BVD  

PADLS Notes - BVD

Although the number of requests for BVD testing have not increased in the PADLS, diagnosticians and veterinarians are concerned about the acute nature of the disease and the morbidity, which in some cases continues to remain in double digits. In many cases, the appearance of clinical BVD is associated with the movement of purchased cattle into herds which may not have had recent exposure to BVD, or herds which have not maintained an adequate vaccination program.

The PADLS has several testing procedures available to your veterinarian, including tests on blood for virus, viral amplification in blood, serological detection of BVD antibody and immunohistochemistry. Call the nearest PADLS laboratory (see below) or your veterinarian for more information.

Antibodies to the BVD virus are found in a large percentage of cattle in the United States and Canada. Only closed herds, with excellent biological containment practices can expect to remain free of the disease. In situations where cattle are being moved or exposed to cattle from other environment, vaccination, at least three weeks prior to moving the cattle should be considered. Contact your veterinarian for further recommendations regarding vaccination programs. For further information on diagnostic procedures, contact your veterinarian or the PADLS.

Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory locations and phone numbers:

Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Harrisburg
(717)787-8808
Animal Diagnostic Laboratory [Penn State]
(814)863-0837
Diagnostic Services at New Bolton Center [U of Penn]
(610)444-5800 ext. 2210
Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission
(717)787-2103

[ PADLS Home | Notes | E-mail info ]