Bovine Respiratory Disease: Management/Treatment

Question 1

Describe the short term/immediate management of cattle with respiratory disease

Answer 1

Antibiotics in an outbreak
NSAIDs
Nursing
Isolation/reduce numbers
“Hands/face-Space-fresh Air”
Contact - Stocking density - Airflow

Question 2

Describe the medium/long term management of cattle with respiratory disease

Answer 2

Colostrum and nutrition
Improve the environment
Vaccines

Question 3

When are antibiotics used in cattle with respiratory disease?

Answer 3

Individual animal
Group of affected animals:
- Only those affected? Then take temperatures daily > 39.5ºC or 40ºC
- Whole group ? If >=25% group affected?

Question 4

What are the factors to consider when choosing drugs to use

Answer 4

Spectrum of activity
Ease of administration
Long acting; is repeat dose necessary?
Licensing/Cascade
Cost

Question 5

Describe the antibiotics available for use in respiratory disease

Answer 5

1. Oxytetracycline (Terramycin® Engemycin®)
   - Short acting and long acting
   - Broad spectrum
2. Beta lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins; numerous examples); no activity against Mycoplasma spp.
3. Florfenicol e.g. Nuflor®/Resflor®
4. Macrolides: Tilmicosin: vet only admin e.g. Micotil®

Question 6

Which NSAIDs can be used in cattle with respiratory disease?

Answer 6

Flunixin
Meloxicam
Ketoprofen
Carprofen

Question 7

Why are NSAIDs used in cattle with respiratory disease?

Answer 7

Pain relief, antipyretic, improve wellbeing and appetite

Question 8

Why are vaccines used?

Answer 8

Protect the individual (how protected are you?)
Protect the group (“herd immunity”)
Reduce level of excretion

Question 9

Describe the main features of IBR vaccines

Answer 9

Intranasal (faster but local effects, IgA)
Intramuscular
6-12 monthly boosters recommended
Live and dead vaccine protocols

Question 10

Describe the use of IBR live vaccines

Answer 10

Cell mediated immunity - can use in face of infection intranasally to deal with recent infection locally to be followed by a systemic dose usually 3 m later

Question 11

Describe the use of IBR inactivated vaccines

Answer 11

Provokes antibody levels; reduce shedding - useful in eradication programmes

Question 12

Describe the features of a desirable environment to limit cattle respiratory disease

Answer 12

• Humidity < 80%
• Temperature >= LCT
• Maximum calves/air-space
• Air changes per hour 4 (winter), 6 (summer)
• Max 2 weeks spread of ages in a group
• Monopitch building inlet/outlet 0.25m² per calf
• Pitched roof inlet 0.05m² per calf, outlet 0.04m² per calf; outlet at least 1.5m above inlet