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Research and Development
Chute Side Diagnostics Promise Quicker Detection,
Improved Animal Disease Management
Disease prevention and management is a top priority in Alberta’s feedlots. Three
infectious organisms in particular – Histophilus somni (H. somni), Mycoplasma
bovis (M. bovis) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) – account for a large
amount of feedlot diseases. Early detection is essential for the successful
treatment of sick animals and the overall management strategy to prevent disease
from spreading and affecting other animals. In partnership with the Alberta
Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA), Aquila Diagnostics Systems is working with
the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization
(VIDO) to create a low cost, chute side test that allows feedlot veterinarians and
producers to detect these three diseases in the early stages.
Dr. Jason Acker, Aquila’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “When we are building a
new diagnostic, we want to make sure it has the greatest potential impact for our
customers, so we’re focusing on the top diseases in the cattle industry. If veterinarians and livestock producers can check for multiple
pathogens in a single test on the farm or at the chute side, they can begin disease specific treatments and management strategies.
Early detection of infectious diseases hopefully will improve health outcomes for the infected animal and the herd as a whole.”
The target diseases for the new diagnostic are notable for their prevalence and high economic cost to feedlot producers. H. somni
causes a blood infection that is the leading cause of death in fall placed feedlot calves in Alberta. M. bovis causes a host of problems
in infected animals, including chronic pneumonia, ear infections, mastitis and arthritis. BVDV can result in abortions, stillbirths,
congenital defects and ongoing complications because of persistent infection. A single BVDV carrier can infect many animals,
resulting in ongoing calving losses for a prolonged period of time. As well, persistently infected animals in a feedlot can infect other
animals, thereby causing increased disease rates. With an efficient and affordable test, feedlot veterinarians will be able to develop
better control strategies for these infectious diseases and help their clients reduce disease and production losses.
Aquila’s prototypes will be evaluated in field conditions to ensure the test is effective in every day conditions. Veterinarian Dr. Joyce
Van Donkersgoed and Cor Van Raay Farms Ltd. in Southern Alberta are participating in the field test. Dr. Van Donkersgoed, said:
“Time is the most important factor when an animal gets sick. If we get the right treatment at the right time, we can reduce the
long-term impact of the disease and protect the herd with disease specific vaccines or treatments. This saves us from substantial
herd losses or reduced growth due to illness, but it also cuts down on money spent treating animals without knowing what specific
disease they have.”
Dr. Susan Novak, ALMA’s Research Manager, sees the Aquila diagnostic project as new support for ALMA’s One Health vision. “By
putting this technology in the hands of feedlot veterinarians and feedlot producers, we’re making feedlots more sustainable by
reducing the economic risk that sick cattle represent. Through that, we’re also improving the outcomes and animal welfare for all the
cattle in a herd. Finally, we are reducing the use of antibiotics in the food chain, fulfilling part of the social contract industry has with
the public to raise livestock in a way that doesn’t harm the larger ecosystem.”
To learn more about ALMA’s approach to food safety, and human, animal and ecosystem health, read our “One Health Roadmap: A
New View” or visit www.alma.alberta.ca.
about Research & Development
The Research and Development Program provides targeted grant assistance that drives innovations that will improve the
competitiveness of Alberta’s livestock and meat industry. The program encourages research initiatives complementary to ALMA’s
research priorities and helps develop and deliver technologies, solutions and knowledge to industry. Learn more at www.alma.
alberta.ca. Contact: ALMA Communications, 780-638-1932 or email: [email protected].
Ideas. Information. Investment.alma.alberta.ca