Neospora caninum is a
common important coccidian parasite, which causes bovine abortions worldwide.
Cattle are mostly infected transplacentally. Infection from feed or water
contaminated by dog faeces is also possible. Neospora occur also in many
wildlife species, but their role in the epidemiology of bovine infections is
poorly known. The clinical outcome of neosporosis in a herd vary and the cause
for occasional abortion storms is not known. There is no effective treatment and
vaccination does not prevent vertical transmission. Prevention is based on
culling seropositive animals and their progeny.