ABORTION IN CATTLE - DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES AND FORENSIC DEMANDS

The diagnostic evaluation of abortion in cattle often causes severe pr oblems, This can in part be attributed to :he fact that the diagnostic procedures available to the veterinarian on the farm in most cases do not provide definite clues about the cause of abortion, In addition, there is often uncertainty about the sample material which has to be s ubmitted to specialised diagnostic laboratories for further investigat ions, Diagnostic laboratories often complain about incomplete or usele ss material submitted for investigation and the lack of a detailed cas e history. This article reviews the causes of bovine abortion. Conclus ions about causative infectious agents that can be drawn from the case history and the results of a thorough clinical examination are explai ned. in addition, further diagnostic procedures to be initiated bir th e veterinarian suspecting infectious or noninfectious abortion are sug gested. The demands of forensic veterinary medicine as well as possibl e liability consequences arising from insufficient diagnostic procedur es are discussed.