The Beef Cattle Health and Nutrition Podcast Dealing with a herd infertility case with Dr. Zach Johnson
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Oct 26, 2023 Dr. Zach Johnson, a mixed animal veterinarian from Melville, Saskatchewan, discusses a challenging herd infertility case. He shares insights on the complex nature of diagnosing infertility, outlining the various diagnostic tests employed. One surprising culprit was widespread copper deficiency, which led to impaired fertility. Zach emphasizes the importance of consistent mineral provision and the economic benefits of regular pregnancy checks to identify issues early and enhance herd management.
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Sample Strategically For Diagnostics
- Test representative samples rather than every animal to balance cost and information when investigating infertility.
- Run infectious disease titers and mineral/vitamin blood tests to cover likely causes.
Neospora's Hidden Risk
- Neospora caninum often exists at background levels but can cause abortions when exposure occurs, typically via canine fecal contamination.
- Serology helps but definitive diagnosis often requires testing aborted fetuses at post-mortem.
Interpret Titers With Timing
- Compare paired titers over time to distinguish vaccine-induced antibodies from active infection.
- Include leptospirosis and other pathogens in serology panels when vaccination history exists.