Neospora in recent years has overtaken BVD and Leptospirosis as the main cause of livestock abortions in the UK and Europe. A recent study in Scotland found that 26% of aborted foetal tissue tested positive for Neospora Caninum.
Bovine Neosporosis is caused by Protozoan parasite Neospora Caninum. There are two ways of transmission, horizontal and vertical. Horizontal transmission involves cattle ingesting oocysts shed by infected canines (dogs & foxes). Infected cows are between three and seven times more likely to abort. The parasite becomes sexually mature and reproductive within canines. Vertical transmission involves parasite migration from the dam during pregnancy across to the foetus.

Abortion and fertility are not the only issues. Premature culling, reduced milk yield and reduced post weaning weight result in further economic losses.

Clinical signs:

• Abortion between 3-9 months (generally 5-7months)
• Premature/ still born
• Brain disease in calves
• Repeat abortions
• No other sign seen in dam

Diagnosis can be made by your vet through brain damage identification, parasite numbers recorded in calf tissue or parasite numbers in the dam’s afterbirth. 90% of calves whose dams are infected will transmit the disease, and will either act as a carrier or are persistently infected. When positive cows do calve, afterbirth and aborted calves should be correctly disposed of, especially before a canine can get hold of either.

There is no available vaccine in Europe. Neospora positive cows should either not be bred from or culled.

Contact Wes at wesleyhabershon@fcgagric.com or your local FCG office for more information.