Sampling For Johne's Testing

Supplies Needed:

1. 7mL red top Vacutainer blood tubes (one per cow)
2. 18 or 20 gauge x 1 inch vacutainer blood collection needles (one per cow)
3. vacutainer needle/tube holder
4. sharpie marker
5. Sample submission form

Collecting Blood Samples:

1. Write cow ID number on tube with sharpie
2. Attach needle to the needle/tube holder
3. Raise the tail of cow
4. On the underside of the tail, about 4 to 5 inches from the base, on flat base of the vertebrae insert the needle in the midline about 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
5. Push tube into the needle/tube holer onto the needle
6. Probe with needle, keeping it under the skin, until blood fills the tube with 2 to 5 mL of blood.
7. Remove the tube and the needle

Shipping Samples

1. Securely package samples - use packing materials to prevent samples from breaking. Secure in plastic bags.
2. Include client information - Name, Address, Phone number, Fax Number, Email address
3. Include check if not an established client
4. Ice not required unless outside temperature is above 100 degrees
5. Ship overnight if possible - prevents samples from sitting in a non temperature controlled environment (freezing/overheated warehouses)

Keep all samples cool and out of the elements, in a cooler with an ice pack during the heat of the summer and away from freezing temperatures during the winter.

Shipping Address/Contact us

Johne's Eradication Program

By identifyng carriers and good santation practices, Johne's disease can be eliminated from replacement heifers by preventing newborn infection.

Sampling

1. Sample all animal second lactation or higher at dry off, unless already identifed as a carrier
2. Sample all clinical cases of diarrhea

Identification

1. Permentally identify all positive Johnes cows, in cow records and with a physical marker (ear tag)
2. Permentally identify all newborn heifers from positive Johne's cows, in records and with a physical marker (ear button).

Control

1. Remove all heifer calves from Johne's positive cows immediately after calving
2. Calve all Johnes's positive cows in seperate calving pens, pens not used by other cows
3. Remove heifers calves from cows with clinical diarrhea immediately post calving
4. Do not use colostrum from Johne's positive cows
5. No pooling of colostrum, keep each cows colostrum seperate
6. Heifer claves should receive only pasteurized milk replacer, no non-sellable milk, or raw hospital milk
7. Maintian clean, manure free calving pens

Frequently Ask Questions about Johnes

What is Johne's Disease:

A chronic progressive disease of the intestinal tract of cattle and other ruminants. It is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium paratuberculosis

How is the disease transmitted:

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis is transmitted primarily through manure from infected animals. It can also be transmitted via milk from infected cows. Infected cows may pass it to the feus while in the uterus. Young animals, 0-6 months, are the most susceptible to infections.

What are the clinical signs of Johne's:

Chronic non-responsive diarrhea, weight loss, poor production. Many cows that are actively shedding bacteria are not showing any clinical signs

How can we reduce the risk of creating new infections:

The most important prcatices are related to calf management, manure management, sanitation, identification and removal of infected animals from entering the herd. Feed management procedures not only help control Johne's disease but also helps control other fecally transmitted diesases.