Preventing and controlling pneumonia in calves

Pneumonia is defined as inflammation of the lungs and respiratory airways, and is one of the main causes of calf mortality in Ireland. Where pneumonia occurs without mortality, there can be a major reduction of growth rates, leading to failure to reach production targets on schedule.

Pneumonia in cattle of all ages is a multifactorial disease, with infectious pathogens, management and environmental factors all contributing to its development.

In terms of infectious agents, calf and weanling pneumonia can be caused by viruses (IBR, RSV and PI3), bacteria (Mannhaemia haemolytica, Pasturella multocida, Mycoplasma bovis/dispar and Histophilus somnus), or parasites such as lungworm.

In most cases with housed calves or weanlings, pneumonia usually occurs due to a mixed infection, such as an initial viral infection followed by a secondary bacterial invasion.

Management

Management factors play a huge role in determining the risk of pneumonia in calves and weanlings. Particular factors include colostrum management in newborn calves. Stressors such as the transport of calves/weanlings to and from the mart, and under-feeding of young calves, all lead to an increased risk of pneumonia. Draughts and wet bedding reduce a calf’s core body temperature, making it more susceptible to pneumonia.

Environmental risk factors for pneumonia include poor ventilation in the calf housing unit, drafts at calf level, overcrowding in pens and mixing of animals of different age groups in the same airspace. This is a risk as a percentage of older animals will be carriers of respiratory viruses and will maintain these diseases in the herd by spreading them to younger animals sharing the same airspace.

Symptoms

Early signs of pneumonia can be non-specific, such as being ‘off form’, dullness, reduced feed intake and lack of gut-fill. Other symptoms of pneumonia include increased rate and depth of breathing, high temperatures over 39.2°C and nasal discharge. Coughing is also a symptom as pus and mucus builds up in the lungs and major airways.

There are some clinical symptoms that may lead one to suspect involvement by particular agents. IBR is a virus that leads to disease of the upper airways and is associated with nasal and ocular discharge, a red or burnt appearance to the muzzle and a high temperature early in the course of disease. In contrast, RSV and PI3 are pathogens that affect the lower airways and lead to severe respiratory disease and high mortality in neonatal calves.

Bacteria

The bacteria Mannhaemia haemolytica and Mycoplasma bovis are also primary pathogens of the lower airways and lungs. They cause severe inflammation with extensive lung damage, and frequently result in death or stunting due to irreversible lung damage. Mycoplasma bovis may also lead to swollen joints. Mannhaemia is the most common secondary invader following initial viral infections. Histophilus somnus is usually a secondary invader following initial viral infection, although it can be a very significant primary pathogen in feedlot cattle.

Lungworm will obviously only be an issue in calves that have been grazing infected pasture for a period of time, and should always be considered among the causes of coughing in weanlings from late summer onwards. Mycoplasma dispar can also cause coughing in weanlings, but is not associated with high mortality rates.

Treatment

There are many very effective antibiotics available for the treatment of pneumonia, with differences in methods of administration and longevity of action. It is always advisable to consult with your vet on suitable treatment options and to obtain early veterinary intervention in the treatment/management of individual and group outbreaks of pneumonia.

Antibiotics are active against bacteria only and will certainly treat primary or secondary bacterial infections. However, there will be no response in the case of severe acute viral infections, resulting in relatively high mortality rates, with RSV pneumonia in particular.

As well as the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories play a crucial role in the treatment of individual cases of pneumonia. Remember that pneumonia is a process of inflammation of the lungs and respiratory tract, and inflammation results in changes and damage to the normal lung tissue.

Anti-inflammatories can be administered in all cases of pneumonia, both viral and bacterial, to reduce the extent of lung damage, reduce high temperatures and speed up recovery. General supportive care is also very important, including the provision of adequate nutrition and housing while the animals are sick.

Prevention and control

The prevention of calf disease is based on maximising a calf’s immunity and minimising the stressors that a calf is subjected to. Maximising the immune status of the calf can be done by attending to a number of key areas. These include colostrum feeding, the management of the calf, vaccination, reducing concurrent disease (eg BVD) and adequate dry cow feeding to ensure good quality colostrum and healthy strong calves at birth.