Vibriosis is rare in confined cattle herds, but we are seeing it more often in areas where bulls and cows commingle, such as community pastures.
It can be a hidden disease that over time increases open rates to 20 to 25 percent instead of the normal five to 10 percent.
It is caused by the bacteria campylobacter, which enters bulls’ preputial area (sheath) and is spread through breeding to cows. Other bulls can then contract the disease if they breed those same cows.
This is why it’s best from a reproductive perspective to buy virgin bulls from a purebred producer and not rent or trade bulls.
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As well, older bulls are more likely to harbour the organism in their sheath and become permanent carriers of the disease.
The vibriosis organism used to be hard to identify to confirm the diagnosis, but researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon are working on a preputial scraping test that appears accurate.
The sample is frozen before sending it to the lab, which is helpful when transporting samples in cold Canadian winters.
Vibriosis may be suspected if many cows return to heat early in the breeding season. Most of these cows will clear the organism and rebreed later if the breeding season is extended.
In that case, the cows will be spread out at pregnancy checking time and many late bred cows will be detected. This may be the first clue that vibriosis could be involved.
If the breeding season is short, most of these cows will fail to conceive, resulting in an open rate much higher than normal.
Campylobacter can also cause abortions in cattle at about five to six months of gestation, although many other factors, from nutrition to trauma to other infectious agents, can also cause abortions at this stage of pregnancy.
To make the proper diagnosis, producers need to either test the bull’s sheath, do an autopsy of a fetus or conduct other diagnostic tests. A vaccination program may be considered if vibriosis is the cause.
A killed vaccine called Vibrin is effective if given before breeding season. The dosage is two cc given under the skin.
It is also a good idea to vaccinate bulls. They are not indicated on the label, but the recommended rule of thumb is to give them a double dose to establish good immunity and obtain protection down into the sheath where the organism often harbours.
The vaccine can cause swelling, so producers are advised to split the bull’s shots by giving one dose on each side of the neck.
I believe better diagnostic tests might result in more vibriosis diagnoses.
Vibriosis can be a problem when large groups of cattle mix.
Producers should consider vaccinating If they share bulls with fellow ranchers, rent or buy older nonvirgin bulls.
Vaccination has generally been recommended on most community pastures in Alberta and Saskatchewan pastures run by Agriculture Canada’s agri-environment services branch.
Producers who need to test bulls for trichomoniasis can test for vibriosis at the same time and save a sampling procedure.
Testing, semen evaluating and vaccinating can all be done at once in spring before breeding season as a way to limit handling.
Vaccinating for vibriosis may become part of your routine or it may be something you keep an eye on and initiate on the recommendation of your veterinarian.
Producers who know nothing about this disease can ask their veterinarian if they have ever diagnosed it and what the clinic recommends for their region.
Sheep can also get the disease and transmission can happen between the two species, so be careful if running them with cattle.
