BRD workshop

Question 1

List 7 ways to prevent BRD

Answer 1

good ventilation
gradual diet change as stress will lower immune system
quarantine new animals
closed herd if possible
regular cleaning and mucking out
vaccination
serum testing for failure of passive transfer so calves are not immunocompromised

Question 2

What are the risk factors of calves for BRD

Answer 2

FPT
concurrent disease
navel dipping
nutritional deficiencies
vaccination status
gender
surgery- disbudding/ castration

Question 3

What are the risk factors of BRD in terms of farm environment

Answer 3

poor ventilation/ air quality
age range at pen level
overcrowding
inadequate bedding
extreme temp fluctuations
mixing of groups

Question 4

With BRD would you isolate sick calves

Answer 4

yes less likely to spread
isolate if small group ill
don’t bother if majority ill as the few left over may become ill from stress

Question 5

List aspects of a BRD prevention plan

Answer 5

Ventilation
Stocking
temperature
vaccinate
minimal stress
feeding

Question 6

Describe what ventilation is needed for calves

Answer 6

fresh air
remove humid air as can be contaminated with dust/parasites
10x an hour of sir changes in winter
40x an hour of air changes in summer
don’t want wind speed to be too high as the calves can get cold

Question 7

what are the grouping recommendations for calves

Answer 7

max of 2 weeks age range in a group
max of 10-12 calves together
less than 30 calves in one air space
keep healthy animals seperate
don’t mix ages

Question 8

List 5 measures that can be done to ensure appropriate temp

Answer 8

avoid concrete/ metal
ventilation
bedding
humidity
jackets/ lamps

Question 9

From what age can calves generate their own thermal temp

Answer 9

from 8 weeks old so need to keep them warm prior to this

Question 10

How can cleanliness in calves be maintained

Answer 10

drainage
mucking out/ bedding frequently
correct disinfection
scraping

Question 11

why can roof height impact calves development

Answer 11

if roof height too high, difficult for calves to generate heat (stack effect, animal heats surrounding, then rises, leaves the building draining more air in)

Question 12

What are the 8 functions of ventilation

Answer 12

Maintain temp
Decrease air borne pathogens
decrease endotoxins
decrease dust
maintain optimum humidity
remove stale stagnant air
remove noxious gases
eliminate drafts

Question 13

what are some things that need to be considered when thinking about making building adjustments

Answer 13

avaliable space on farm
finances to fund it
asbestos

Question 14

When testing for antibodies to see if there has been exposure to a pathogen, what must you be careful of?

Answer 14

Maternal antibodies last 3-6 months so be careful testing within this window as may just see what mum has

Question 15

What must be considered when deciding if vaccination is the right thing to do

Answer 15

• Have the causative agents been identified
• At what age are animals affected
• Can the immune status of calves be improved
• Can the vaccine be administered appropriately
• Are maternally derived antibodies likely to be present
• What route of administration is most appropriate

Question 16

What antibiotic do we try and use if needed on a farm and what one do farmers like to use but we need to try and get them to stop using

Answer 16

• USE OXYTETRACYCLINE
• Dont use draxxin. Category C drug so do not use as a first line as there is no where to go if/when resistance develops