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Advice on Calf Pneumonia
By
Oct 10, 2006, 23:15

Introduction

Calf pneumonia results in ill thrift, high treatment costs and high morbidity. Death may also occur.  Once the weather becomes damp and muggy the viruses and bacteria that cause calf pneumonia start to spread on small water droplets in the atmosphere. Calf pneumonia can occur at any time of the year, not just the winter period.

There are three viruses involved; Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Parainfluenza type 3 Virus (P13) and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR). In addition these viral infections cause damage to the lungs making them more susceptible to bacteria and mycoplasmas, and this is where the real damage occurs. 

Procedures in the event of an Outbreak

In the event of an outbreak, it is important that the following steps are taken:

  • Seek veterinary advice and start prompt treatment. This will depend on the type of pneumonia. Treatment given intravenously will have the most rapid response.

  • Identify the cause ~ this may involve blood samples. Once the cause is known, control measures can be advised

  • Check management factors such as ventilation, stocking density etc. to minimise future problems

 One of the main problems that we find is that when farmers treat pneumonia without seeking the proper advice, the response may be poor. This can be due to the incorrect choice of treatment, wrong dosage rates and management factors not corrected. If the incorrect treatment is given, the response to treatment is very poor as the infection is well established, death and morbidity may occur and there is no satisfactory resolution to the problem. Remember, your calves are your future cows.

Prevention

Prevention of calf pneumonia can only be achieved by both good management and vaccination. Attention to management is important to reduce the level of challenge of viruses through:

  • Reduced stocking rates

  • Avoid too many animals in one airspace

  • Improved ventilation

  • Avoid mixed age groups in the same airspace

Vaccination primes the calf’s natural defence mechanism so they can resist attack from the pneumonia viruses. Remember that vaccination on its own may not succeed in preventing all cases of pneumonia.

Over the past few years more and more clients have been using pneumonia vaccines.  The results have been very good with far fewer outbreaks, less treatment costs and more healthy calves.

Vaccination of calves should be completed before the period of greatest risk.

We can advise on what is the best protocol for your herd.



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