Disease Information and Brochures

Bovine leukosis virus is a retrovirus infection of dairy and beef cattle. The virus survives in white blood cells, called lymphocytes. Only about 5% of the cows infected with this blood-borne disease ever develop a clinical disease. If clinical disease is not present, BLV infection may be diagnosed by blood tests (AGID and ELISA) that detect the presence of BLV antibodies. BLV infection does not occur naturally in other species. BLV infection is for life; once an animal is infected, it is virus positive for life.

Bovine Leukosis Virus

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus is a disease of goats. Those infected with CAEV may develop arthritis, mastitis, encephalitis, and/or pneumonia. The primary route of transmission is through ingestion of virus-infected colostrum or milk by kids. Contact with the blood of an infected animal can also transmit the disease. Currently there is no vaccine available for CAEV.

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus

Johne's Disease is a chronic intestinal disorder primarily of ruminants. Symptoms include decreased milk productivity, diarrhea and weight loss despite a good appetite. A recent survey of Colorado dairy cattle found a 4% seroprevalance of Johne's Disease among cattle at least 2 years of age (JAVMA 2004 Jul 1, 225(1): 97-101).

Johne's Disease

Colorado Voluntary Bovine Johne's Disease Control Program

The CVBJDC Program was implemented to provide education about Johne's Disease and help producers identify management procedures to reduce the risk of transmission of the disease to other animals. The program consists of three elements; education, management and herd testing/classification. Samples collected under the herd testing element must be submitted to a USDA approved laboratory. RMRAHL is a USDA approved laboratory for Johne's testing. Contact Dr. Ron Ackerman, Colorado's Johne's Coordinator at 303.239.4161 for more information.

Colorado Voluntary Bovine Johne's Disease Control Program

Scrapie is a fatal nervous system disease of sheep and goats and is caused by the same family of infectious agents as Mad Cow Disease. Scrapie is a major concern to the sheep and goat industry, causing significant production losses. Moreover, the presence of scrapie in the United States also limits the export of breeding stock, semen, and embryos.

Scrapie Susceptibility Testing

In an effort to help eradicate Scrapie, the Colorado Department of Agriculture has put together a fact sheet explaining USDA's requirements for tagging and record keeping of sheep and goats. This handout has contact information for obtaining tags free of charge from the local USDA Federal Office.

Scrapie Tagging Protocol

Trichomoniasis is a venereal disease of cattle caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas foetus. Bovine trichomoniasis is spread by breeding and causes infertility, abortions, and occasionally chronic uterine infection in dairy and beef cattle. Losses include reduced milk production, reduced calf crop, and delayed breeding. Diagnosis of the disease requires demonstration of the organism in the tissue or most frequently in culture. There is not a treatment for Bovine trichomoniasis.

Bovine Trichomoniasis