XLVets Fact Sheet Youngstock/Calf health YC Calf Pneumonia Pneumonia is the term used to describe inflammation of the lung tissue and airways, thereby reducing the ability of the animal to breathe adequately. Whilst the infectious causes are viral and bacterial, the term bovine respiratory disease complex illustrates that the disease is multi-factorial.

Causal factors include: Symptoms • Poor colostrum intake Sick calves show a combination of coughing, nasal discharge and • Stocking density: increased breathing rate/effort, mixed ages in same airspace will appear depressed and be slow • Environment: damp, draughts, to feed. Severely affected animals stale air may die despite treatment. A raised temperature (>39.5C / 103F) is an • Stress: dehorning, castration, early sign of infection and should be group movements acted on quickly, as early treatment is • Buying-in policy: mixed sources, likely to be more successful. unknown health status Vaccination • Inadequate nutrition Many pneumonia vaccines are available. • Infection: viruses (IBR, RSV, Pi3 Selection should take into account +/- BVD); bacteria (Mycoplasma the likely diseases involved, how early bovis, Pastuerella, Mannheimia the vaccine can be administered, how and Haemophilus) quickly and for what duration protection Pneumonia is estimated to cost is required. They should be administered the UK cattle industry £80 million several weeks before the main risk period. annually. Vaccines are valuable in controlling The immediate expense of treatment pneumonia, but are not a substitute is tangible, but the impact on food for good management. intakes, food conversion efficiency and live weight gain are often overlooked. Outwardly healthy in- contact animals will also be affected: Treatment for every animal showing symptoms Sick animals should be treated with it is likely that double will have diseased lungs. an appropriate antibiotic (speak to your vet): whilst many causes of A dairy heifer calf affected by pneumonia are viral, secondary pneumonia is likely to suffer a bacterial infections are commonplace. two-week delay to first service and An anti-inflammatory will reduce 2 – 4% reduction in yield in her first lung inflammation and restore growth lactation; in beef animals, carcase rates more quickly. It is worth also quality will be reduced. considering treating all animals in In reality, the loss of future contact – pneumonia is infectious, and performance is the biggest cost whole-group treatments often result in of pneumonia. lower overall antibiotic use, as well as better live weight gains. XLVets Committed to UK farming XLVets Calf Pneumonia Youngstock/Calf health YC

Investigation A veterinary building assessment This should start by understanding can help identify problem areas, and general farm management. provide practical solutions. Colostrum management should be assessed by testing baby calves for IgG (immunity) levels, especially if cases are seen in calves <1month old. Infectious agents can be identified, either by ‘lung washes’ of very early cases, or blood tests at the end of the housing period. Housing should also be assessed. Three essential considerations to help reduce challenge from many diseases, Good ventilation is essential in not least pneumonia: order to fulfil the above requirements. Key points 1. Too much moisture favours Typically, buildings have too little outlet • Pneumonia is a ‘perfect storm’ bacterial/viral growth and hence disease. to produce the ‘stack effect’ necessary of bacteria/viruses, immunity It also absorbs energy, so what you feed to circulate air. and the environment. will be keeping stock warm rather than For pre-ruminant calves the stack • Treatment costs of affected fuelling weight gain. Young animals will effect is less relevant and sufficient calves are the tip of the iceberg. also be more disease-prone. warmth is vital – building and bedding • Prevention is vastly better than 2. Lack of fresh air increases survival materials should take this into account, cure – lung damage will affect time of airborne bugs, further increasing and calf jackets for the first month are productivity for life. the risk of disease. Noxious gases may beneficial. • Early treatment is more successful build up. and should include antibiotic and 3. Excessive air speed (draughts) anti-inflammatories. – particularly at calf level – is associated • The solution is not held within a with energy losses, reduced growth rates bottle of antibiotic – involve your and increased risk of disease. Too little vet and look at the bigger picture. results in lack of fresh air.

For further information contact your local XLVets practice:

11/ 2 015 XLVets Committed to UK farming. Go to www.xlvets.co.uk