Pneumonia in calves causes inflammation and damage to the lung tissue and airways, which ultimately compromises lung function.
Pneumonia and scour are the two biggest killers of young calves so prevention of these illnesses should be a priority.
Pneumonia is the result of a complex interaction between viral and bacterial pathogens, environmental stress factors and the animal’s own resilience to disease.
Some factors that increase the risk of an pneumonia outbreaks are:
- Low environmental temperatures;
- High humidity;
- Poor ventilation;
- Draughts;
- Overcrowding;
- Poor nutritional status.
Infectious agents involved in causing pneumonia include mannheimia haemolytica, haemophilus somnus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza III virus (PI3), along with many other bacteria and mycoplasma species and viruses.
Pneumonia
If you notice any symptoms of pneumonia in your calves it should be investigated further.
Pneumonia causes damage to the lungs of the animal which leads to reduced production, reduced liveweight gain and possibly death.
Clinical signs include:
- Dull and depressed;
- A temperature of greater that 39.5°;
- Increased breathing rate and effort;
- Coughing;
- A nasal discharge which is initially clear and watery, but becomes thick and pus-like as the disease progresses.
An outbreak in your calves can have an impact on their development and could result in them failing to meet targets.
Prevention
Like most things, prevention is better than cure. Preventing some of the factors that cause pneumonia in calves is the best way to prevent it.
The best way to prevent an outbreak is to vaccinate calves against the disease, alongside improved management of calves.
It is also important that calves get off to the best start in life and receive colostrum to boost their immune system.
Remember when you are feeding calves to follow the 1,2,3 rule:
- 1. Use the first milk (colostrum) from the cow;
- 2. Feed the calf colostrum within the first two hours of birth;
- 3. Calves must be offered at least 3L of good quality colostrum