Acute or transient infection with the non-cytopathic biotype of BVDV results in viraemia within a few days that is cleared after 2 weeks as immunity develops (Howard, 1990), although more chronic...
The decision to vaccinate sheep is primarily motivated by animal welfare and the wish to optimise health by giving sheep the best chance to be free from avoidable disease. If optimum protection from...
Primary infection with BoHV-1 results in local dissemination as the virus spreads from cell to cell across the mucosal surface, either in the respiratory or reproductive tract mucosa. It has proved...
The two main groups of MAP strains are ‘type S’ and ‘type C’, named after the host species from which they were originally isolated, sheep and cattle respectively (Collins et al, 1990). This...
C. perfringens is a Gram-positive rod-shaped anaerobic bacteria that is classified into 5 types (A-E) based on the toxins it secretes, including the four main toxins alpha (CPA), beta (CPB), elipson...
M. hyopneumoniae is 200–500 nm in size and requires complex media and aerobic and microaerophilic conditions to be cultured. Infection with M. hyopneumoniae occurs via inhalation of infected aerosols...
A. pleuropneumoniae is a Gram-negative encapsulated coccobacillus bacterium which produces fine fimbriae, capsules and secretes toxins. The bacterium is classified based on its requirement for...
E. coli is a bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of animals. Non-pathogenic, intestinal E. coli (commensal E. coli) support the physiological intestinal balance of the host,...
The feeding of an adequate volume of good quality, clean colostrum as soon as possible after birth is arguably the most significant effect a farmer can have on the life of a cow. Providing simple...
Swine influenza is caused by influenza A virus which is an orthomyxovirus 80–120 nm in diameter, comprising eight pieces of segmented RNA coding for 12 proteins, including haemagglutinin (HA),...
Sampling on farm is important to determine the areas of the unit which have high environmental Salmonella spp. contamination. The most common samples include individual pig faeces, pooled faeces...