FMD Virus RT-PCR
FMD Virus RT-PCR is a test that looks for the genetic material (RNA) of foot-and-mouth disease virus in samples from blisters or the mouth of cows and buffaloes. A vet takes the sample, and owners should tell their vet or the animal husbandry department about suspected cases.
- Sample
- Vesicular fluid, epithelium, probang or swab
- Quantity
- As advised
- Report
- Confirmed when you book
- Collection
- Free in Bhopal
What this test checks
- Foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA - the genetic material of the virus that causes FMD
- Virus in blister skin or blister fluid, which usually carries the most virus
- Virus in mouth or nose swabs, or in a probang sample collected from the throat by a vet
Benefits of this test
- Looks for the virus itself, which can help confirm FMD in animals that are sick now.
- Works on blister skin, blister fluid, swabs or probang samples.
- Helps your vet tell FMD apart from other causes of mouth sores, drooling or lameness.
- Gives your vet and the animal husbandry department laboratory information for their decisions.
- Can be followed by a separate serotyping test if the virus type is needed.
When your vet may advise it
- Cows or buffaloes with fever, drooling and blisters on the mouth, feet or teats.
- Sudden lameness in several animals along with mouth sores.
- A sudden drop in milk with fever and drooling in the herd.
- Sudden illness or death of young calves when FMD is suspected in the area.
- When your vet or the animal husbandry department asks for laboratory confirmation.
About this test
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), known in Hindi as khurpaka-munhpaka, is a highly contagious virus disease of cows and buffaloes. Signs include high fever, heavy drooling, blisters on the tongue, gums, feet and teats, lameness and a sudden drop in milk. Young calves can become very ill. The virus spreads easily through saliva, milk, breath, people, vehicles and equipment, which is why FMD is a notifiable disease, one that must be reported.
RT-PCR is a type of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) used for viruses whose genetic material is RNA. It finds and copies tiny pieces of the virus's RNA in the sample. A veterinarian collects the sample, usually skin from fresh blisters (epithelium) or the fluid inside them. Swabs from the mouth or nose, or a probang sample, which is fluid collected from the throat with a special cup, can also be used. Fresh blister samples usually give the clearest result.
If you suspect FMD, tell your veterinarian or the animal husbandry department straight away. A registered veterinarian reads the result with the animals' signs and the herd's history. Testing alone cannot stop the disease from spreading, and the next steps are decided by your vet and the department. If your vet needs to know the virus type, a separate FMD serotyping test can be used. Vets outside Bhopal should call the lab first on +91 88175 01118 to arrange how the sample is packed and sent.
How to prepare
A veterinarian collects the sample, ideally from fresh blisters, so do not try to collect FMD samples yourself, and tell your vet or the animal husbandry department about the suspected case. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.
Reading the result
A registered veterinarian reads the result with the animals' signs, the herd's history and other tests. A positive result shows FMD virus RNA was found. A negative result does not always rule FMD out, for example when blisters are old or burst, or the sample was damaged on the way, so your vet may send fresh samples or another FMD test.
Questions about FMD Virus RT-PCR
Who should I tell if I suspect foot-and-mouth disease in my cows?
Which sample is used for the FMD RT-PCR test?
What is the difference between FMD PCR and FMD antibody ELISA tests?
What are the signs of foot-and-mouth disease in cows and buffaloes?
Before you book this test
Why this notice: so you know, before you book, how a test is done, what its limits are and who is responsible.
- Where it is tested. Some tests are done wholly or partly by an independent partner laboratory. The lab tells you before booking if this test is sent out, and the report names the laboratory that did it.
- What a result can and cannot tell you. No test is right every time. A normal result does not rule out every disease, and an abnormal result does not prove one. A registered veterinarian should read the report with the animal’s signs and history before any treatment is started, changed or stopped.
- The sample. A sample that is clotted, too small, wrongly labelled, leaking or too old may be rejected or reported with a note, and the lab may ask for a fresh one.
- Reporting time. Confirmed when you book. Times are estimates, not guarantees, and the lab confirms the time when you book.
- Emergencies. A booking or a pending report must not delay urgent care. If an animal has collapsed, struggles to breathe, has fits or bleeds heavily, call a veterinarian at once.
Please read our Terms of Service, Medical Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Refund and Cancellation Policy. Pashupatinath Vet Lab is operated by Duaji Healthcare and Tech Private Limited. This page is general information and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice.
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