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Bovine congenital defects recorded by veterinary practitioners
J F Mee1, D Murphy2, M Curran3
1Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals = Zuchthygiene
|November 17, 2023
Summary
Veterinary practitioners used a mobile app to track 191 cattle with congenital defects over three years. Intestinal atresia and schistosomus reflexus were common, highlighting the need for preventive measures and app-based surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Congenital defects in cattle can impact animal welfare and farm economics.
- Understanding the prevalence and types of congenital defects is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and patterns of congenital defects in cattle using data collected by veterinary practitioners.
- To assess the utility of a mobile phone application for epidemiological surveillance of animal health conditions.
Main Methods:
- A mobile phone application was utilized by 59 veterinary practitioners to gather case histories and images.
- Data were collected over a 3-year period on 191 cattle diagnosed with congenital defects across the nation.
- Information on calving season, dam parity, birth type, and previous defect occurrences was recorded.
Main Results:
- The majority of cases occurred during spring calving in pluriparous dairy dams and in singletons born at full-term.
- Musculoskeletal and digestive systems were most affected (83.5%), with intestinal atresia (24.1%) and schistosomus reflexus (20.4%) being the most frequent individual defects.
- Most farms reported no or only one congenital defect in the preceding five years, suggesting potential localized or emerging issues.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal atresia and schistosomus reflexus appear to have a relatively high prevalence in calves, necessitating preventive strategies.
- Mobile applications offer significant potential for veterinary practitioners to monitor endemic diseases and detect emerging health trends in cattle populations.
