Health and Disease

Posted in: Health and Disease
Reducing Bovine Leukosis Virus
By Dr. Warren Bohnhoff, DVM
Feb 22, 2009 - 8:59:08 PM

Dr. Warren Bohnhoff, DVM

The spread of BLV is on the rise, and I felt a list of recommendations that can lead to its reduction would be helpful:

1. Use only single use disposable needles, insemination sleeves, and palpation sleeves and then discard.
   
   
2. Reduce the number of biting insects.
   
   
3. Thoroughly clean all surgical instruments that come in contact with blood. Disinfect instruments between uses. Store needles and tubing in a disinfectant solution.
   
   
4. Test all cattle entering the herd for BLV, and isolate them for 30 to 60 days. Test again at the end of the isolation period.
   
   
5. Implement annual testing for all animals. A 3-4 month testing interval is preferred, but may be impractical. Use A. I. for all breedings.
   
   
6. Do not use colostrum or milk from BLV-positive cows for calf feeding.
   
   
7. Do not use BLV-positive cows as recipients for embryo transfer. If a highly valuable donor tests positive, implant the embryo in BLV-negative cows, and test the offspring
   
   
8. Remove extra teats, insert ear tags, and dehorn while calves are housed individually. Use bloodless dehorning methods.
   
   
9. Clean feed and water containers regularly to reduce blood contamination.
   
   
10. Perform all veterinary procedures on BLV-positive cows last. also milk all BLV-positive cows last.