Abortion diagnostics

Fertility disorders and animal losses due to abortions are among the most economically significant factors in livestock farming. Targeted and comprehensive diagnostics can identify the multiple causes of abortion and initiate appropriate measures. The timing (early or late abortion) can give an indication of the cause.

Based on etiology, a distinction is made between infectious and noninfectious abortions.

Non-infectious abortions can be caused by intoxications, hormonal imbalances, trauma, stress, malformations, etc.

Infectious abortions are caused by various viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Especially infectious abortions occur mostly clustered in herds and can also represent a zoonosis risk. Therefore, legal regulations must also be observed when abortions occur.

An information folder on abortion diagnostics can be found under Folder Animal Health. Forms for abortion diagnostics can be downloaded here.

Diagnostic

Indirect pathogen detection

  • Antibodies can be detected in blood samples, which provide evidence of infection

Direct pathogen detection

  • From fetuses or organ materials
  • From afterbirth parts
  • In cattle and small ruminants also from: Genital swabs or rinse samples

Submission

  • About Medlog
  • Personal delivery
  • for ruminants also: via TKV Regau

Attention must be paid to compliance with transport regulations for infectious sample materials.

Sample type

Sample materials:

  • Fetuses
  • Postpartum (steep)
  • Blood samples

The state of preservation contributes significantly to the quality of diagnostics!

Examination spectrum

Cattle and small ruminants

All major infectious causative agents of fertility disorders in cattle, sheep and goats are diagnosed as part of our various testing packages.

Viral abortion pathogens:

  • BHV-1, BVDV, BDV, SBV, BTV.

Bacterial abortion pathogens:

  • Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis
  • Brucella spp.
  • Mycoplasma spp.
  • Salmonella spp.
  • Chlamydia
  • Leptospires
  • Coxiella burnetii...

Parasitic abortion pathogens:

  • Toxoplasma gondii
  • Neospora caninum
  • Trichomonads

Histology

Further examinations on request:

  • Feedstuff testing for mycotoxins or contaminants
  • Drinking water examinations

Pigs

Viral abortion pathogens:

  • Porcine reproductive and respiratory virus - PRRSV (PCR, Ak).
  • parvovirus - PPV (PCR, Ak)
  • porcine circovirus type 2 - PCV2 (PCR, Ac)
  • porcine influenza virus - SIV (PCR, Ac)

Bacterial abortion pathogens:

  • Chlamydia (PCR, Ac)
  • Leptospires (PCR, Ac)

Pig monitoring / free of charge:

The costs for the following additional examinations incl. transport costs are borne by the BMGF!

  • Classical swine fever - CSFV (PCR)
  • African swine fever - ASFV (PCR)
  • Aujeszky's disease - SuHV-1 (PCR)
  • Brucellosis - Brucella sp. (PCR)

Labor

Institutes for veterinary medical examinations:

  • Institute for Veterinary InvestigationsMödling(pigs, cattle, small ruminants)
  • Institute for Veterinary InvestigationsLinz (cattle, small ruminants)
  • Institute for Veterinary InvestigationsInnsbruck (cattle, small ruminants)

Last updated: 31.08.2023

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