Herd problem of abortions and malformed calves attributed to bovine viral diarrhea

A herd problem of abortions and the birth of malformed calves developed subsequent to a transient febrile illness in adult cows. The herd was not vaccinated against bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). Bovine viral diarrhea virus was isolated from blood of one calf. The problem continued for 8 months. The entire herd was vaccinated with a killed BVD virus product. No further problems developed. This herd problem illustrates one of the many recognized clinical manifestations of BVD.