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Bovine Update
The Washington State Veterinarian's office is currently investigating an outbreak of Malignant Catarrhal Fever in cattle in this state. They have identified at least 15 head of cattle ranging in age from 4 months to 6 years that have died as a result of this disease. The cattle are from a number of different locations in the state. The most likely source, which the state is still investigating, is from close contact with young lambs at the Puyallup Fair in September. Malignant Catarrhal Fever is a viral disease which can be spread from sheep to cattle. Sheep and Wildebeest are reservoir hosts for the disease. The reservoir host does not get sick from the disease. Once cattle come in contact with sheep carrying the virus, it takes about 50 days to develop signs of the disease. The virus attacks the blood vessels in multiple organs, so signs can be quite variable and may include sudden death, high fever, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), eye and nasal discharges or seizures. Cattle often develop cloudiness to both eyes and the muzzle and nostrils get very encrusted with pus. The mouth and hooves can become involved so the disease looks similar to other contagious foreign animal diseases. Malignant Catarrhal Fever is different from those other diseases in that it is not contagious from cow to cow so spread stops with the cattle which come in contact with the affected sheep. There is no treatment for MCF so prevention is key. Keep cattle separate from sheep and wildebeest. Cattle are relatively resistant to the sheep form but are very susceptible to the wildebeest variety of the virus. Luckily wildebeest are fairly rare in Whatcom County. If you see any animals with similar symptoms please call to have a veterinarian examine and test the animals for a specific diagnosis.

1. Preventative medicine

A. Set up vaccination programs

B. Monitor cow comfort

C. Monitor mastitis

D. Monitor nutrition

2. Reproductive medicine

A. Post calving exams

B. Pregnancy exams/fertility

C. Dry up exams (the cow needs to have another calf to produce the most milk.)

3. Sick cow medicine

A. Work with herdsman to diagnose and treat sick cows

B. Surgeries

4. Emergency medicine

A. Calving (difficult births)

B. Injured (bleeding, hurt)