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Driving BVDV out of the herd

BVDV is one of the most costly bovine diseases for both dairy and beef producers, with losses of $15–$88 per head from reduced herd productivity, health, and reproductive efficiency.1-3

Talk to your veterinarian about the best options for your operation

 

Where to order

 

Stopping BVDV requires detecting and removing the infection source: persistently infected (PI) animals.

IDEXX recommends a simple three-step plan to manage BVDV:

1

Screen to determine your herd status.

2

Remove PI animals and work with your veterinarian to design a biosecurity program that includes annual BVDV testing.

3

Test all new introductions to the herd, including newborn calves.

 

“One animal has this huge impact on your operation.”

Dr. George Perry
Texas A&M University

Straight talk from the field.

Why BVDV is a problem


Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes low reproduction performances and suppresses the immune system. BVDV is one of the most costly bovine diseases for both dairy and beef producers, with losses of $15–$88 per head from reduced herd productivity, health, and reproductive efficiency.1–3

Stopping BVDV requires detecting infected herds and removing the infection source: persistently infected (PI) animals.
 

Where to order

How to determine if BVDV is present.

Is BVDV in your herd?

Dairy: PCR on bulk tank (pool ≤ 500)
Beef: PCR on blood samples (pool ≤ 50)

Screen with: RealPCR BVDV RNA Mix

If negative

Continue annual testing to monitor status change.

  • Align on biosecurity measures with your veterinarian.
  • Test all new introductions to the herd, including newborn calves.

Test with: SNAP BVDV Ag Test or IDEXX BVDV PI X2 Test

 

If positive

Eradicate BVDV from your herd by implementing a 3-year plan.

  • Test all newborn animals with ear notch sample.
  • Test all dams of positive calves.
  • Test any new introductions to the herd.
  • Remove all PIs from the herd. 

Test with: SNAP BVDV Ag Test or IDEXX BVDV PI X2 Test

Note:
A positive animal, identified by antigen or PCR test, can be retested 3 weeks after. A PI animal will still be positive and must be culled, whereas a second negative test result indicates a transiently infected animal that can be kept.

Brochure: Driving BVDV out of the herd

IDEXX offers multiple options to determine if BVDV is present.

IDEXX BVDV PI X2 Test

Lab test detects Erns antigen in serum or ear notch samples.

SNAP BVDV Antigen Test

On-farm (or lab) test detects Erns antigen in serum or ear notch samples. 

RealPCR BVDV RNA Mix

PCR mix signals the presence of BVDV through genetic material in ear notch, blood (EDTA), serum, plasma, milk, or tissue samples.

IDEXX BVDV Total Ab X3 Test

BVDV antibody test detects antibodies produced by animal against the virus. This ELISA lab test utilizes milk and serum samples.


1. Bartlett B, Grooms D. BVD-PI eradication: unintended consequences. Michigan Dairy Review. 2008;13(3).

2. Chi J, VanLeeuwen JA, Weersink A, Keefe GP. Direct production losses and treatment costs from bovine viral diarrhoea virus, bovine leukosis virus,
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, and Neospora caninum. Prev Vet Med. 2002;55(2):137–153. doi:10.1016/s0167-5877(02)00094-6

3. Ridpath J. Why BVD is a tough problem. Hoard’s Dairyman. 2002;147:697.