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Pregnancy Loss Followed By Infertility Can Impact Production Over A Long Period Of Time

published: June 4th 2011
source: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

St. Joseph, Missouri, June 3, 2011—The U.S. cattle industry has not seen significant changes in the clinical syndrome caused by Leptospira hardjo-bovis (LHB); yet, the disease continues to burden cow/calf producers with reproduction implications that can become costly and widespread within the herd.

Acute LHB infection may cause sudden temperature spikes, anorexia and lethargy. But, these symptoms can go unnoticed, and often the only indication of infection is a repeat breeder. Once the embryo is lost, LHB causes infertility and delayed breeding. This makes the disease especially economically damaging for cow/calf operators, who struggle to get cows pregnant due to the reduced fertility caused by the disease.

“When left unvaccinated, cattle are vulnerable to hardjo-bovis infection when given access to streams and stagnant water, or pastures and facilities are exposed to raccoons, opossum or rodents,” says Joe Campbell, Senior Professional Services Veterinarian, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. “With exposure risk factors as common as standing water or raccoons in pastures, it’s important to vaccinate cattle with a vaccine that includes protection for all strains of leptospires that affect cattle.”

Once cattle become infected with LHB, they are considered “maintenance hosts” and can spread LHB among the herd through urinary shedding. A single infected animal can shed the virus in its urine for long periods of time, and is a major source of infection for other animals.

The Express® FP family of vaccines is one of the most complete modified-live product lines on the market. It protects your cowherd against major reproductive and respiratory diseases, including urinary shedding of Lepto hardjo-bovis and persistently infected calves caused by BVD Types 1 and 2. Express FP also aids in the reduction of infertility, abortion and delayed conception caused by Campylobacter fetus var. venerealis, and leptospirosis caused by five serovars of Leptospira.

“Express FP was the first modified-live viral vaccine to offer a written guarantee that calves born to a dam properly vaccinated with Express FP would be free of BVD-persistent infection. This vaccine was created with your herd’s health in mind, protecting your cows against all major reproductive and respiratory diseases,” Campbell says. “The efficacy of Express FP vaccines has always been our top priority, and we will continue to offer that guarantee on our product.”

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (St. Joseph, Mo.), is a subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation, based in Ridgefield, Conn., and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies.