Definition:
Bovine ephemeral fever, also known as BEF or three-day sickness, is an arthropod, vector-born disease that affects cattle.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is made based on the clinical signs and brevity of the condition. Blood tests are used in confirmation of the disease.
Treatment:
One of the most common treatments for BEF is anti-inflammatory drugs and calcium injection, which are both available through veterinary prescription.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms of BEF vary in severity, while others experience slight symptoms for only 24 hours, others suffer from multiple symptoms for weeks.
Cattle may show sudden signs of stiffness, fever, ocular discharges, lameness, constipation, depression and cessation of rumination. Some animals stop eating when depressed. They typically drool excessively and develop stringy nasal discharge. Some animals shiver and become reluctant to move. Jaws become inflamed and their joints appear swollen.
Fat cows and bulls suffer from more severe signs than other cattle. Sick cows experience a 50% drop in milk production.
Causes:
The virus Ephemerovirus from the Rhabdoviridae family causes Bovine ephemeral fever. This virus occurs in tropical and subtropical parts of Africa, Asia and Eastern Australia. It is transmitted by an insect vector.
