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What is the difference between a PI calf and a normal calf with antibodies to BVD?

April 26, 2017antibodies bvd calf difference normal Pi

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What is the difference between a PI calf and a normal calf with antibodies to BVD?

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In a word, timing! If a fetus is infected after about 180 days its immune system is developed to the point it can “fight off the virus”. Thus this fetus will make antibodies to the virus and develop immunity. On the other hand, if the fetus is infected at day 80 of pregnancy with a non-CPE BVD virus, it may be born as immunotolerant and persistently shedding large numbers of this BVD virus into the environment. This shedding occurs through every secretion from the body (saliva, tears, feces, etc.). This is why the PI calves are such a problem for the herd. Next month we will discuss some of our current tools available to diagnose BVD infections in cattle.