Cattle Diseases - Neosporosis

Neosporosis

Neosporosis is found worldwide and causes to financial losses through embryonic losses, abortion, culled cattle and reduced milk production. Neospora caninum is a microscopic protozoan parasite that causes the disease neosporosis. Neosporosis is a major cause of abortion in cattle. Abortion can occur anytime throughout gestation.

The Neospora caninum parasite appears to be spread by congenital transfer of the rapidly multiplying developmental stage of the parasite, called tachyzoites, from the mother across the placenta, to the fetus. It is thought that Neospora caninum can be transferred this way during pregnancy due to 'reactivation' of the cyst form of the parasite, followed by entry into the bloodstream, and transported across the placenta to infect the fetus. Although abortion is often observed, most calves are born infected with the parasite and yet show no clinical signs of disease. In herds that have problems with Neospora caninum any heifers retained for breeding are likely to abort during their first pregnancy. These calves then repeat the cycle and transmit the parasite to their own offspring during gestation. Neospora caninum oocysts are very resistant to harsh environmental conditions, and can remain infections for many months in any environment. Oocysts are shed by animals that are termed "hosts". The dog is the most common host, but it is possible that other canids like coyotes and foxes can also be carriers. It is believed that cattle ingest oocysts that are in contaminate feed or pastures and then become infected.

Diagnosis of Neospora caninum includes both blood testing of the aborting dam and examination of the aborted fetus by a diagnostic lab. The fetal brain is the most consistent infected tissue used to diagnose Neospora caninum.

A killed vaccine is available. Administration of the vaccine has been associated with a statistical reduction in abortions. Once the vaccine has been given to a cow, a blood test for Neospora caninum is no longer valid.

To ask a question about a cattle disease, CLICK HERE and get an answer! Cattle Today Online is the cattleman's guide to the cattle business. Take your time and look around. You'll find the net's best cattle news, free livestock classified ads, free ranch listing, the latest USDA livestock market report, free ranch email, Baxter Black, thousands of links and a free newsletter just for ranchers. Or make someone smile by sending them a Cow Card!

Cattle Today, Inc. makes no representations about the suitability or accuracy of any of the information contained in this site. All information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Any use of the content on this site is at the risk of the user. In no event shall Cattle Today, Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from loss arising out of or in connection with the use of any information available from this site. This information is not intended to be used as an alternative to consulting with a health care professional or other qualified professional. If you need advice on a cattle health problem please contact your local veterinarian.

Diseases of Cattle HOME ANAPLASMOSIS ANTHRAX BLACKLEG BLOAT BRUCELLOSIS BSE BVD CALF SCOURS CANCER EYE COCCIDIOSIS FOOT AND MOUTH FOOT ROT GRASS TETANY IBR EXTERNAL PARASITES INTERNAL PARASITES JOHNE'S DISEASE LEPTO LISTERIOSIS LUMPY JAW NEOSPOROSIS PINKEYE RINGWORM TRICHOMONIASIS VIBRIOSIS WARTS WOODEN TONGUE LINKS	Neosporosis Neosporosis is found worldwide and causes to financial losses through embryonic losses, abortion, culled cattle and reduced milk production. Neospora caninum is a microscopic protozoan parasite that causes the disease neosporosis. Neosporosis is a major cause of abortion in cattle. Abortion can occur anytime throughout gestation. The Neospora caninum parasite appears to be spread by congenital transfer of the rapidly multiplying developmental stage of the parasite, called tachyzoites, from the mother across the placenta, to the fetus. It is thought that Neospora caninum can be transferred this way during pregnancy due to 'reactivation' of the cyst form of the parasite, followed by entry into the bloodstream, and transported across the placenta to infect the fetus. Although abortion is often observed, most calves are born infected with the parasite and yet show no clinical signs of disease. In herds that have problems with Neospora caninum any heifers retained for breeding are likely to abort during their first pregnancy. These calves then repeat the cycle and transmit the parasite to their own offspring during gestation. Neospora caninum oocysts are very resistant to harsh environmental conditions, and can remain infections for many months in any environment. Oocysts are shed by animals that are termed "hosts". The dog is the most common host, but it is possible that other canids like coyotes and foxes can also be carriers. It is believed that cattle ingest oocysts that are in contaminate feed or pastures and then become infected. Diagnosis of Neospora caninum includes both blood testing of the aborting dam and examination of the aborted fetus by a diagnostic lab. The fetal brain is the most consistent infected tissue used to diagnose Neospora caninum. A killed vaccine is available. Administration of the vaccine has been associated with a statistical reduction in abortions. Once the vaccine has been given to a cow, a blood test for Neospora caninum is no longer valid. To ask a question about a cattle disease, CLICK HERE and get an answer! Cattle Today Online is the cattleman's guide to the cattle business. Take your time and look around. You'll find the net's best cattle news, free livestock classified ads, free ranch listing, the latest USDA livestock market report, free ranch email, Baxter Black, thousands of links and a free newsletter just for ranchers. Or make someone smile by sending them a Cow Card!

	Cattle Today, Inc. makes no representations about the suitability or accuracy of any of the information contained in this site. All information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Any use of the content on this site is at the risk of the user. In no event shall Cattle Today, Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from loss arising out of or in connection with the use of any information available from this site. This information is not intended to be used as an alternative to consulting with a health care professional or other qualified professional. If you need advice on a cattle health problem please contact your local veterinarian.
		Information contained in this article from one or more of the following: Alabama Cooperative Extension System South Carolina Extension Service Nebraska Extension Service Oklahoma State Cooperative Extension Service University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension University of Minnesota Extension Service
	Cattle Today The Cattle Website Experts Copyright © 1998-2010 CATTLE TODAY, INC. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Contact Us SiteFinder

Diseases of Cattle

HOME

ANAPLASMOSIS ANTHRAX BLACKLEG BLOAT BRUCELLOSIS BSE BVD CALF SCOURS CANCER EYE COCCIDIOSIS FOOT AND MOUTH FOOT ROT GRASS TETANY IBR EXTERNAL PARASITES INTERNAL PARASITES JOHNE'S DISEASE LEPTO LISTERIOSIS LUMPY JAW NEOSPOROSIS PINKEYE RINGWORM TRICHOMONIASIS VIBRIOSIS WARTS WOODEN TONGUE LINKS

Neosporosis

Diseases
of Cattle

ANAPLASMOSIS
ANTHRAX
BLACKLEG
BLOAT
BRUCELLOSIS
BSE
BVD
CALF SCOURS
CANCER EYE
COCCIDIOSIS
FOOT AND MOUTH
FOOT ROT
GRASS TETANY
IBR
EXTERNAL PARASITES
INTERNAL PARASITES
JOHNE'S DISEASE
LEPTO
LISTERIOSIS
LUMPY JAW
NEOSPOROSIS
PINKEYE
RINGWORM
TRICHOMONIASIS
VIBRIOSIS
WARTS
WOODEN TONGUE

LINKS