Bovine resp

Question 1

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) Complex is

Answer 1

AKA “shipping fever”
Feedlot calves
Severely affects profit margins
Most common and costly disease in beef industry
50% affected
10% mortality
Many different calves from different origins
Exposure to novel pathogens
Stress from weaning, castration, dehorning, and shipping
Immunocompromised

Question 2

Effects that can cause BRD

Answer 2

Host factors
Age
Nutrition
Immune status
Prior exposure to pathogens
Genetics
Infectious agents
Viruses
Bacteria
Parasites (lung worm)
Environment
Overcrowded
Poor air quality
Co-mingling
Poor weather

Question 3

BRD is caused by

Answer 3

First infected with a virus
Bovine herpes virus
Parainfluenza virus
Bovine viral diarrhea virus
Then infected with commensal bacteria
Mannheimia hemolytica
Pasturella multocida
Histophilus somni
Mycoplasma bovis

Question 4

Symptoms of BRD in cattle

Answer 4

Temperature > 40*C
Inappetence
Weight loss
Tachypnea
Coughing
Nasal discharge
Ocular discharge
Laboured breathing
Sudden death
Post-mortem
cranioventral lung consolidation
Fibrinous bronchitis

Question 5

Treatment and prognosis of BRD

Answer 5

Treatment-best success if caught early
Broad spectrum antibiotic targeted for Mycoplasma bovis
Ex. Tulathromycin (Draxxin)
Anti-inflammatory
Ex. Meloxicam
Prognosis-guarded
Slower to reach finishing weight than unaffected herd mates

Question 6

Prevention of BRD

Answer 6

Ensure adequate colostrum intake
Ensure good nutrition
Precondition calves at home
Weaning
Vaccinating
start on feedlot ration
Minimize mixing of calves from different sources at feedlot
Vaccinate for BRD pathogens on arrival to feedlot
Administer prophylactic antibiotics upon arrival at feedlot
Repeat antibiotics in calves with 40* C one week after arrival
Crossbreeding
Hybrid vigor