Granular Venereal Disease of Cows 1089 



four cows have been sent to the butcher on this account. One 

 was sent to the butcher because we had diagnosed ovarian 

 abscesses. Our diagnosis was verified by post mortem examination. 

 Aside from these, approximately 10% of the cows of breeding 

 age have been handled annually by us for sterility due to ovarian 

 disease. 



The lesions of the disease in this herd are more intense and 

 more universal, in the cows of breeding age, than found in Herd 



1, and far less intense than in Herd 2. The prevalence of abor- 

 tion and sterility in the herd is in harmony with the observations 

 in the two prior herds. The lesions are not severe ; no new cows 

 have entered the herd ; no abortions are occurring. The lesions 

 are more intense than in Herd i, and sterility is present in a 

 marked degree, and assumes definite economic importance. The 

 sterility is due almost wholly to cystic ovarial degeneration, some 

 cases to persistent hypertrophied yellow bodies, and one case to 

 ovarial abscesses. 



The recorded observations by European investigators, coupled 

 with the history of the abortion in this herd, followed by the 

 large percentage of sterility and the high prevalence of the granu- 

 lar venereal disease in the herd at present, warrant the assump- 

 tion that the malady was present when the abortion raged . 



The small percentage of affected heifers and heifer calves in 

 this herd is interesting, when compared with Herd 2. In Herd 



2, the heifers and heifer calves are kept in the same barn, and 

 in close contact with a few badly diseased cows. The calves in 

 that herd are regularly groomed, and the same currycomb and 

 harsh fiber brush are used for grpoming both cows and calves. 

 The cows usually kept in the stable with the heifers are those in 

 advanced pregnancy, and those which have recently calved or 

 aborted. Many of them have abundant vulvar discharges, which 

 greatly befoul the grooming implements and afford ample oppor- 

 tunity for the carrying of the disease from cows to calves. 



In Herd 3, the conditions are different. The calves are kept in 

 a distant part of the stable, virtually equivalent to a separate 

 building. They are abundantly bedded and scantily groomed. 

 They are not kept on exhibition for prospective buyers, as are 

 those in Herd 2. 

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