Reassessment of the herd consultation in facilities with accumulated abortions in cattle

: One hundred and ninety-eight dairy herds in which an abortion problem had been investigated by laboratory examination alone or in conjunction with a farm visit were reassessed via a questionnaire at least 1 year after the initial investigation. The overall response rate to the questionnaire was 78%, but more owners responded after a farm visit. One hundred and twenty-five questionnaires (63%) could be evaluated. Significantly more (p = 0.01) complete or tentative diagnoses were made in herds that were visited. The abortion problem had resolved in 88%, 79% and 88% of herds with a complete, a tentative and no diagnosis, respectively. In 65% of herds, the suggested control measures were followed by the attending veterinarian or the owner. Resolution of the abortion problem was more common in herds in which the proposed control measures were followed, in herds in which a complete diagnosis had been made, and in herds that had been visited during the initial investigation. The success in resolving the abortion problem, that could be attributed to the initial investigation, was 21% when a complete diagnosis had been made and 11% when only a tentative diagnosis had been made. Most (67%) herd owners would favour an accompanying farm visit, as opposed to laboratory examinations alone, if another abortion problem occurred, but only if a considerable portion of the cost could be deferred.