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Cattle

Early detection and treatment for bovine respiratory disease

02 November 2020
Clinical
6 mins read
02 November 2020
Volume 25 · Issue 6
Figure 3. Early detection of the signs of BRD in young calves requires a commitment from farmers to conduct regular monitoring and scoring, using an appropriate scoring system.
Figure 3. Early detection of the signs of BRD in young calves requires a commitment from farmers to conduct regular monitoring and scoring, using an appropriate scoring system.

Abstract

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a complex syndrome that can cause significant economic impact on farm through the immediate costs of treatment as well as long-term production losses, and increased risk of mortality or premature departure from the herd. The clinical signs and pathology are due in part to the host's response to inflammatory mediators that are produced in reaction to the presence of the pathogens. Variation in individual animals' responses to the sepsis associated with BRD result in the spectrum of clinical signs and disease severity observed on farm. The variation in clinical picture presents a diagnostic challenge for farmers and can negatively impact disease detection. The use of objective scoring systems for BRD can facilitate the detection and provide a means of monitoring disease at a herd or group level. While antimicrobials remain the mainstay of BRD treatment on farm, the use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) alongside them has become commonplace, with the aim of promoting more rapid recovery via their analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic actions.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a complex syndrome caused by multiple factors, including environmental and management-related stressors and a long list of viral and bacterial pathogens. In combination, these factors overwhelm and dysregulate host immunity and lead to disease. BRD is a leading cause of preweaning mortality in dairy calves and the financial costs are well documented. Overall cost of calfhood BRD is reflected in both the immediate cost of treating the disease as well as the lifetime decrease in production and increased likelihood of affected cattle leaving the herd before their second calving. Taking into account the initial cost of treatment, delay in first calving, reduction in first and second lactation milk yield and increased risk of culling, Bartram et al (2017) estimated the lifetime economic cost of a case of BRD in a dairy heifer to be £772, thus highlighting the potential returns from investing in reducing the impact of this disease.

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pneumonia
bovine respiratory disease
herd health
respiratory scoring
NSAID