Definition:
Bovine herpesvirus 1 is a type of virus from the Herpesviridaee virus. This virus causes various diseases in cattle, including vaginitis, abortion, rhinotracheitis, conjunctivitis, balanoposthitis and enteritis.
Treatment:
Vaccination reduces the incidence and severity of the disease.
Symptoms and Signs:
The virus causes a life-long latent infection and shedding of the virus. When the virus causes infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, symptoms may include nasal discharge, fever, cough, loss of appetite and difficulty breathing. Ulcers can also develop in the nose or mouth.
When cows develop infectious pustular vulvovaginitis or bulls develop infectious balanoposthitis, symptoms may include depression, fever, painful urination, loss of appetite, swollen vulva, discharge and painful sexual intercourse. However, symptoms may resolve in two weeks or less.
This virus could also lead to a generalized disease in newborn calves, which may result to enteritis and eventually death.
Causes:
The bovine herpesvirus 1 is spread through artificial insemination, sexual contact and aerosol transmission.
