Recovered case of sheep‐associated malignant catarrhal fever in a gravid cow

Abstract

A four‐year‐old Brown Swiss cow was referred to the University Clinic for Ruminants in Vienna. At the first clinical examination the cow showed the following clinical signs: body condition score 2 out of 5, respiratory rate of 38 per minute, body temperature of 38.1°C, moderate hyperaemia of the conjunctival mucous membranes with severe serous ocular discharge, injection of the scleral vessels and bilateral opacity of the cornea were present. The nasal mucous membranes were pink and a moderate amount of mucopurulent nasal discharge was present. Harsh lung sounds were audible at auscultation and all teats presented with multiple erosions. Definitive diagnosis was the eye form of malignant catarrhal fever with additional pathological changes at the teats. The cow was treated intensively with antibiotics, NSAID, intravenous infusion (sodium chloride and glucose) and rumen fluid, and was discharged from the clinic seven days after admission. The offspring was clinically healthy.