The Original BVD-PI Testing Laboratory

BVD Fast Facts

• BVDV first recognized in 1946 in upstate New York, now identified worldwide

• Antibody prevalence studies show as high as 60-70% prevalence of BVD in herds (Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, Goyal and Ridpath, Blackwell Publishing)

• Estimated that 70-90% of acute/transient infections are subclinical (Ames et al.,1986)

• Costs associated with BVD infections are incurred from:

  • Reproductive losses

  • Increased Morbidity

  • Increased Mortality

  • Reduced Performance

• Feeder - loss of $67 per exposed animal. (Hessman)

• Cow/calf - estimated losses of $35-$56 per calf (Ridpath)

• Dairy - losses estimated at $65 per calf (Ellis AABP 04)

• BVD causes immunosuppression which allows for greater virulence of common pathogens

• Acts synergistically with other pathogens to cause more severe pneumonia

  • BVD infection alone caused mild pneumonia involving 2-7% of lung

  • M. hemolytica infection alone caused pneumonia involving 15% of lung

  • BVD infection followed by M. hemolytica caused pneumonia involving 40-75% of lung