Abortion in Cattle and Buffalo: Which Samples and Tests

Abortion in a cow or buffalo has many possible causes, and in many cases the cause is never found. A vet can take samples from the mother and from the aborted calf and its membranes, and the lab can test them for infections such as brucellosis, leptospirosis and neosporosis. Some of these infections can pass to people, so everyone who handles an abortion should wear gloves.

What causes abortion?

Some causes are infections that reach the womb and the calf. Brucellosis, leptospirosis, neosporosis and a number of others are in this group. Other causes are not infections at all: a fall or a blow, high fever from another illness, poisons in feed or fodder, serious feeding problems and some medicines. Because the signs look the same, only samples can help to separate them, and even then an answer is found in only some cases.

What should you do first?

Keep the aborted calf and the membranes. Use gloves, or a clean plastic bag turned inside out over your hand, and put everything in a sealed bag or container. Keep it cool and away from children, pets and other animals. Separate the cow or buffalo from the rest of the herd and mark her. Wash your hands and arms well afterwards, and tell your veterinarian at once. Brucellosis, leptospirosis and Q fever can pass to people, so speak to a doctor if you become unwell after handling birth material.

Which samples may the vet collect?

The vet decides, but the usual ones are:

• blood from the mother, to look for antibodies
• a swab from the womb or vagina
• parts of the placenta, and, if possible, tissue from the aborted calf
• sometimes milk, for brucellosis

The sample must be fresh, labelled with the animal's number, the date and the vet's name, and kept cool. Always phone the lab before sending anything.

Which tests does the lab run?

The Abortion Investigation Panel for Cattle & Buffalo typically brings together several tests for common causes. The exact list is confirmed when you book. Single tests can also be asked for:

• the Neospora caninum Antibody (ELISA), which looks for antibodies to a parasite that is a known cause of abortion
• the Leptospira IgM / IgG ELISA, which looks for antibodies to the leptospirosis germ
• the Brucella abortus / melitensis RT-PCR, an RT-PCR (real-time PCR) test for the genetic material of the brucellosis germ in suitable samples

Antibody tests show that an animal met a germ at some time, which is not always the cause of this abortion. RT-PCR looks for the germ itself.

Why is the cause so often not found?

Samples may arrive late, the calf may have been eaten or lost, or the cause may be one that tests cannot show, such as a short fever or a poison. A negative panel does not rule out disease, and the vet may suggest testing several animals, or repeating the test later, to see the pattern in the herd. A registered veterinarian reads all results together with the history of the herd and the stage of pregnancy.

What about the rest of the herd?

If more than one animal aborts, the herd should be treated as a problem, and the vet should be told. The Abortion & Brucellosis Pack groups tests for several common causes. Do not move aborted animals or sell them without the vet's advice. Write down how far along the pregnancy was, what the animal ate, whether other animals in the herd are sick, and whether any new animals joined recently. These details often matter as much as the tests, because they help the vet judge which causes are likely. If one animal has aborted, check the others closely for fever, discharge or signs of an early abortion, and tell the vet at once if you notice any. Keep records of each animal that aborts, with dates and the stage of pregnancy.

Read next

The leptospirosis tests are explained in more detail in Leptospirosis Tests in Dogs and Cattle. For the young calves that follow, see Calf Scours: Rapid Kits and RT-PCR Panels.

Testing in Bhopal

Your vet usually takes the samples, and the lab at C-200, C Sector, Shahpura, Bhopal accepts them. Collection is free anywhere in Bhopal, and other districts can use courier, bus parcel or their vet. Call or WhatsApp +91 88175 01118; the lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.