Animal Health Laboratory

Animal Health Laboratory

65 River Road (Hancock Building)
Truro, Nova Scotia
Phone: (902) 893-6540
Fax: (902) 895-6684

Authorized by: Laura Buckland, B.Sc.,

DVM, MVSc.

Final Report Date of Sample Collection:

Accession: 24-150 Date Received: 01/24/24
Date Reported: 01/31/24
Nappan Experimental Farm Owner:
Animal Name/ID:
Agri. & Agri-Food Canada Species: Bovine
4016 Southampton Road
Nappan, NS B0L 1C0 Breed:
Age: Fetus
Fax: (902) 667-2361 Email: jacob.fisher@agr.gc.ca Sex:

** Final Report **
FOR INTERPRETATION OWNERS SHOULD DISCUSS LABORATORY FINDINGS WITH THEIR
PRACTITIONER
Case History
See attached history.

Paid: 38.50 rec 966831

Necropsy
A female bovine fetus weighing 10.80 kg which measures 59 cm crown-to-rump is submitted for
postmortem examination on January 24, 2024. Postmortem autolysis is marked. No placenta is submitted
with the fetus; however, one small portion of fetal membranes is identified within wet organic material
covering the integument. The portion of placenta identified is not large enough to be split for bacteriology,
histopathology, and molecular testing. The section is included in pooled fetal tissues submitted for
molecular diagnostics. The integument is diffusely hairless, wet, and covered with organic
material/manure. The subcutis is diffusely, markedly, expanded with dark red, watery fluid (anasarca).
Moderate amounts of similar fluid are also present in the abdomen, thorax and pericardial sac. Abomasal
fluid is mucoid and yellow-orange tinged. The lungs are diffusely dark pink, atelectatic, and sink when
placed in formalin. The brain is liquefactive. The remaining viscera exhibit advanced autolysis but are
otherwise unremarkable.
Virology:
Bovine herpesvirus 1 PCR: POSITIVE
Leptospira spp. PCR: NEGATIVE
Neospora caninum PCR: NEGATIVE
Bovine viral diarrhea virus PCR: NEGATIVE
Bacteriology:
Lung: No microbial pathogens isolated scant growth of Acinetobacter lwoffii
Abomasal fluid: Scant mixed bacterial growth
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Histopathology:
All tissues examined exhibit advanced postmortem autolysis with widespread loss of cellular detail (kidney,
heart, spleen, lung, liver, eyelid). The brain could not be examined histologically due to the degree of
decomposition. Insufficient volume of placenta was submitted for
Liver: Numerous moderately discrete foci of necrosis are present, randomly distributed in parenchyma.
Lung: Alveolar lumina are collapsed and non-aerated. Small volumes of yellow-orange material
(meconium) is present within alveolar lumina.
Final diagnosis:
Mid-gestion abortion
Liver: Hepatitis, necrotizing, multifocal, acute
Lung: Pulmonary atelectasis with meconium aspiration
Comments:
Fetal tissues in this case have tested positive for Bovine herpesvirus 1. Is this herd fully vaccinated? Or is
there any potential history of vaccinating pregnant animals with live vaccine?
Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus) is an important cause of abortion in bovines.
In unvaccinated, or poorly vaccinated herds, multiple abortions may occur and up to 60% of animals in a
naïve exposed group may be affected in some published studies.
Abortions may follow infection of the dam between 2-6 weeks following exposure, and although abortion
may occur at any time during gestation, most occur between 5-8 months of gestation. Abortion is due to
direct tissue damage by the virus in the fetus, and a placentitis is also present. Fetal death occurs in utero,
and the fetus is often retained for a period of days prior to expulsion and is often severely autolyzed.
Histologic lesions in this fetus were relatively subtle, however in cases with advanced autolysis this is not
uncommon.
Recommend consultation with your clinical veterinarian regarding vaccination protocols to prevent further
losses.
Thank you for your submission of this case. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions
regarding these results.

Microbiology
Culture, Bacterial Aerobic
# Specimen Animal Organism Results
4 Lung Acinetobacter sp. Scant
Acinetobacter lwoffii. 1 colony
5 Fluid Abomasal Fluid Scant Mixed Growth
4 colony types
5 Fluid Abomasal Fluid E. coli Scant
5 Fluid Abomasal Fluid Acinetobacter sp. Scant
Acinetobacter lwoffii

Referral

Bovine Herpes Virus-1

Test Specimen Result
Bovine Herpes Virus-1 Fresh Tissue Pooled Tissue POSITIVE
18.05Ct

Leptospira spp. PCR

Test Specimen Result
Case No: 24-150 - This report shall not be reproduced, except in full, without written approval of Laboratory. Page 2 of 6
Leptospira spp. PCR Fresh Tissue Pooled Tissue Negative

Bovine Adenovirus PCR

Test Specimen Result
Bovine Adenovirus PCR Spleen Negative

Bovine Coronavirus
Test Specimen Result
Bovine Coronavirus Spleen Negative

Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD) PCR

Test Specimen Result
Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD) PCR Spleen Negative

Neospora caninum PCR

Test Specimen Result
Neospora caninum PCR Fresh Tissue Pooled Tissue Negative

3rd Party Contacts

Northumberland Vet. Servi Fax: (902) 243-2344 Email: nvs@northumberlandvets.com
This report is for the individual or organization to whom it is addressed and contains confidential information. If received in error,
please contact the laboratory.
These results apply to the specimen(s) as received and relate only to the specimen(s) tested.
Dates of performance of laboratory activity area available by contacting the Animal Health Laboratory at 902-893-6540.

Report Continued on Following Page

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