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.

beef cattle