Respiratory Disease in Cattle

Cattle producers face challenges every day that they can’t control: the weather, the government, and the markets. All of those challenges and more can impact their bottom line. However, there are challenges they can control: nutrition and health. Respiratory disease in cattle can be costly to both beef and dairy producers. Worse still, it is caused by numerous factors—from pathogens and environmental conditions to management practices, stress, and genetics.

So, how do you address it before it ever becomes an issue?

The BioZyme Difference

At BioZyme®, our mission is to provide an undeniable positive impact on the health and wellness of your animals and your business. That is why we create animal health and nutrition products for the whole herd as well as practically any animal you care about, from dogs and cats to horses, sheep, and goats.

We also create these educational blogs to help you make informed decisions about how to better care for your animals.

Our team is not merely made up of scientists and writers trying to throw information at you. We are people just like you—animal lovers and producers. The BioZyme team lives and breathes animal production every day. We are the fifth generation to care for cattle and the first generation to own horses and show livestock for our kids.

But it’s important to clarify that we are not veterinarians. If you have an animal that is weak, off feed for several days, or shows signs of sickness, we urge you to see professional help from your trusted veterinarian.

A relationship with a trusted veterinarian is invaluable. Build that relationship early on so your veterinarian knows your operation and animals. They can be a valuable resource.

So, what about respiratory disease in cattle?

Common respiratory diseases in cattle are collectively referred to as Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) complex. BRD represents a significant concern in the cattle industry due to its impact on animal health and economic losses. We will highlight some of the most prevalent respiratory diseases in the beef industry:

1. Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)

Cause: IBR is a highly contagious virus caused by Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1).

Symptoms: Fever, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis and coughing. It can also lead to secondary bacterial infections.

Transmission: Direct contact through the air and contaminated equipment.

2. Parainfluenza-3 (PI-3)

Cause: Parainfluenza-3 Virus, and is often known as bovine bronchitis.

Symptoms: Mild respiratory symptoms, including nasal discharge and coughing. It often occurs with other pathogens.

Transmission: Airborne and direct contact.

3. Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)

Cause: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, a highly contagious virus.

Symptoms: Immunosuppression, which increases susceptibility to respiratory infections. It can cause fever, nasal discharge, diarrhea, decreased milk production, aborted embryos, and, in severe cases, lead to death.

Transmission: Direct contact through the air and through contaminated feed and water.

4. Pasteurella multocida

Cause: Bacterial infection by Pasteurella multocida. It is typically a secondary infection to viral infections. Also known as shipping fever.

Symptoms: Pneumonia, fever, nasal discharge and coughing. Often secondary to viral infections.

Transmission: Direct contact and through the air.

5. Mycoplasma bovis

Cause: Bacterial infection by Mycoplasma bovis. Mycoplasma is often the cause of pneumonia and is most prevalent in feedlot cattle.

Symptoms: Chronic pneumonia, arthritis, and mastitis. It can cause significant respiratory issues and spread slowly within a herd.

Transmission: Direct contact and through the air.

Causes of Respiratory Disease in Cattle

Respiratory diseases in cattle have various causes. BRD is primarily caused by viral, bacterial, environmental, and management factors. We’ve outlined the main causes for you.

1. Viral Infections

Under the common types of bovine respiratory diseases, we have touched on specific, very common viral infections like IBR, PI-3, and BVDV. There are other viral infections that are common to cattle.

Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) is another viral infection. It causes severe respiratory distress and predisposes cattle to secondary bacterial infections.

2. Bacterial Infections

Although viral infections are the primary causes of BRD, they often lead to secondary bacterial infections. Some bacterial infections are associated with the cause of respiratory diseases in cattle. We outlined Pasteurella multocida and Mycoplasma already. Let’s discuss other viral infections.

Mannheimia haemolytica is a primary bacterial cause of pneumonia following viral infections. Histophilus somni is a bacterial infection that can lead to pneumonia, septicemia, and other organ infections.

3. Environmental Factors

Poor Ventilation: Inadequate airflow in barns or confinement areas can lead to the buildup of ammonia and other irritants. These irritants can move through the air, predisposing cattle to respiratory issues.

Temperature Extremes: Sudden shifts in the weather, especially in spring and fall when calves are young, can lead to respiratory diseases in cattle. Prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions can also stress cattle and weaken their immune systems.

Dust: High levels of dust, mold, or other airborne particles can irritate the respiratory tract and make cattle more susceptible to infections.

4. Management Practices

High Stocking Rates: Overcrowding increases stress and the transmission of infectious agents.

Transportation Stress: Long-distance transportation can stress cattle, leading to immunosuppression and increased disease risk.

Inadequate Nutrition: A poor diet can weaken the immune system, which in turn increases the chance of respiratory diseases in cattle.

Comingling Animals: Bringing animals together from different sources, like at a feedlot or salebarn can increase the risk of spreading infectious diseases.

5. Stress & Other Health Factors

Stress: Stress from weaning, hauling, or environmental changes can suppress the immune system.

Concurrent Diseases: Existing health issues can make cattle more susceptible to respiratory infections.

Prevention of Respiratory Disease in Cattle

Being proactive is always better than being reactive. Preventing respiratory disease in cattle involves a comprehensive approach that includes vaccination, management practices, environmental control, and biosecurity measures.

Here are 6 key strategies:

1. Good Management Practices

Weaning: Weaning calves from cows should be as stress-free as possible to have a positive impact on the immune system. Gradual weaning and fence-line weaning are effective methods.

Transportation: Minimize hauling stress by ensuring cattle are healthy before travel and providing adequate rest, water, and feed. Avoid overcrowding during transport.

Nutrition: Provide a balanced diet with adequate protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals to support immune function. We know that 70% of the immune system is found in the gut. If the digestive system is healthy, the animal will be healthy. At BioZyme, our nutritional supplements are powered by a research-proven prebiotic, AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, which enhances digestibility.

2. Vaccination Programs

Routine Vaccination: Administer vaccines against major respiratory pathogens such as IBR, BRSV, PI-3, and BVDV. Consult with a veterinarian to develop a vaccination schedule tailored to your herd’s needs.

Timing: Ensure vaccines are given at the appropriate times, such as before weaning, before transportation, and before high-stress periods. As always, we encourage you to build a relationship with your veterinarian and establish a vaccination schedule that works for your individual herd.

3. Environmental Control

Ventilation: Ensure good ventilation in barns and confinement areas to reduce ammonia and dust levels. Proper airflow helps preserve respiratory health.

Cleanliness: To reduce pathogen levels, maintain clean bedding, reduce mud and manure build-up, and regularly clean feeding and watering equipment.

Temperature Management: Provide adequate shelter to protect cattle from extreme weather conditions and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature for them.

4. Biosecurity Measures

Isolation of New Animals: Quarantine new arrivals for a set amount of time to monitor for signs of illness and prevent the introduction of new pathogens. Work with your veterinarian to establish an isolation protocol.

Limit Exposure: Restrict outside animals’ and people’s access to your herd to reduce the risk of disease transmission. As discussed, disease pathogens are often transmitted nose-to-nose or through the air.

Disinfection: Regularly disinfect equipment, vehicles, and facilities that come into contact with cattle.

5. Health Monitoring

Regular Health Checks: Monitor cattle regularly for signs of respiratory illness, such as coughing, nasal discharge, and labored breathing.

Prompt Treatment: Address any health issues quickly with appropriate veterinary care and treatments to prevent the spread of respiratory disease in cattle and secondary infections.

6. Minimize Stress

Handling: Use gentle handling techniques to reduce stress during routine management activities.

Housing: Provide adequate space to prevent overcrowding and reduce stress-related behaviors.

Treatment of Respiratory Disease in Cattle

Treating respiratory disease in cattle requires a collaborative response. You will need to use medications along with best management practices to reduce stress and prevent further occurrences.

Diagnosis & Veterinary Consultation

Consult a veterinarian to accurately diagnose the specific respiratory disease affecting the cattle, like pneumonia or other conditions. Look for symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, labored breathing, fever, fatigue and reduced appetite.

Antibiotic Therapy

Based on the diagnosis, a veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate antibiotics to combat bacterial infections. Common antibiotics used include oxytetracycline, florfenicol, tulathromycin, and ceftiofur.

Always follow the veterinarian’s guidance on dosage and duration to ensure effective treatment and prevent antibiotic resistance.

Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as flunixin meglumine, commonly known as Banamine®, may be prescribed to reduce inflammation, fever, and pain, improving the animal’s comfort and recovery.

Best Management Practices

Best management practices are operational procedures for your ranch that boost the performance or longevity of your herd. For example, it’s best practice to provide fluids and electrolytes to your herd to prevent dehydration and support overall health. Additionally, ensure affected cattle have access to high-quality feed and clean water to maintain energy and strength during recovery.

Vitamin and mineral supplements can support immune function and overall health. That is where a product from BioZyme can help. We recommend VitaFerm® Cattle Drench any time you treat a sick animal. Also, be sure to keep your herd on a product from VitaFerm.

VitaFerm is a line of nutritional supplements for beef cattle that maximize energy and forage utilization for successful production.

Improve ventilation in housing facilities to reduce ammonia levels and promote respiratory health. Furthermore, maintain a clean environment by regularly removing manure and bedding to reduce pathogen load. Provide dry, warm, and draft-free housing to reduce stress and exposure to cold and wet conditions.

Isolate affected animals from the rest of the herd to prevent the spread of disease. Implement biosecurity measures, such as disinfecting equipment and limiting access to the herd, to prevent disease transmission. Closely monitor the health of treated cattle and the rest of the herd for any signs of improvement or further illness.

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Respiratory Disease in Cattle: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment