Clinical signs of BoHV-1 infection
BoHV-1 infection in cattle is manifested as upper respiratory tract disease and disease of the reproductive tract.
Clinical signs are influenced by:
- age of the animal
- dose of virus
- route of infection
- concurrent infections with other pathogens.
Respiratory tract
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)
- Fever (as high as 42°C)
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Hyperaemia of the mucosae
- Mucosal lesions
- Nasal discharge - Initially serous and later muco-serous to muco-purulent
- Conjunctivitis
- Drop in milk production
- Infertility
- Abortion
Reproductive tract
Infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV)
Initially oedema of the mucosae of the vulva and vagina is seen. Pustules then form which often coalesce, giving rise to a yellowish-white membrane. Lesions usually heal within 10-14 days, in some animals a purulent discharge may persist.
Infectious pustular balanoposthitis (IPB)
The prepuce may be swollen and a mucopurulent discharge may be seen. Often lesions are only obvious on extrusion of the penis. Some bulls lose their libido and find erection and ejaculation painful.