Optimizing Bovine Abortion Diagnostics

Abstract

Very few aborted bovine fetuses have distinctive pathologic changes that contribute to confirming a diagnosis, with the exception of fetuses with congenital anomalies, thus sending an intact fetus to a diagnostic laboratory for necropsy by a pathologist rarely enhances the prospects for obtaining a positive diagnosis. In fact, it is questionable whether necropsies of aborted fetuses routinely merit the time of a busy veterinary practitioner, when a technician can be trained to collect, package and ship specimens as effectively and more efficiently. In addition, owners, managers, and herdsmen can be recruited into the diagnostic team in herds with on-going abortion problems if proper training and supplies are provided. A protocol for proper specimen collection and packaging for diagnosis of bovine abortions, which can be used by veterinarians or for training technicians, will be presented.