Tackling Bovine Respiratory Disease: What You Need to Know

BRD, or bovine respiratory disease, is a general term for any respiratory disease in cattle. A range of factors can cause this disease. The common names usually used for this disease are pneumonia or shipping fever. Stocker and feedlot operations are often where this disease occurs. It occurs more often there because of the extreme stress that calves are put under from weaning and then being shipped.

This disease has multiple causes and develops due to complex interactions between various factors—environmental factors, host factors, and pathogens. Environmental factors include weaning, transport, commingling, and crowding, to name a few. These factors serve as stressors that adversely affect calves’ immune systems.

While feedlot and stocker operations are usually affected by this, it can also happen to cow/calf producers. Almost 20% of cow/calf operations experience nursing-calf pneumonia. It is the leading cause of death for calves three weeks of age and older. To keep your calves right on track, consider these four tips to keep BRD under control.

What is BRD?

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a significant health concern for the global feedlot industry, impacting both cattle welfare and operations’ economic stability. This disease primarily affects the respiratory system, targeting either the lower respiratory tract and lungs, leading to pneumonia, or the upper respiratory tract, causing conditions such as rhinitis and bronchitis. The onset of BRD can result in severe health complications for cattle, making it a critical issue for producers to manage.

BRD is often referred to as a “disease complex” due to the interplay of multiple factors that contribute to its development. A combination of stress, viral infections, and bacterial infections typically causes the disease. These factors work together to weaken the animal’s immune system, making them more susceptible to respiratory issues. The stress component is particularly significant as it often triggers the initial decline in health, followed by viral and bacterial invasions that exacerbate the condition.

The impact of BRD is most pronounced within the first four weeks after weaning, a critical period for young cattle as they transition from a milk-based diet to a solid feed. During this time, the stress of weaning, combined with the exposure to new pathogens, makes calves especially vulnerable to BRD. If left unchecked, the disease can be fatal, underscoring the importance of early detection, prevention, and management strategies to protect the health and well-being of the herd.

Impact of BRD

This disease is the #1 cause of feedlot death in North America. It accounts for approximately 75% of feedlot morbidity and 50-70% of all feedlot deaths.

The majority of BRD deaths occur shortly after arrival to the feedlot or within the first 45 days. The N.A.H.M.S. has reported that about 91% of calves diagnosed with BRD were diagnosed within the first 27 days after arrival.

Economic Impact of Bovine Respiratory Disease

This study conducted by the National Animal Health Monitoring System reports that the direct cost of respiratory disease in feedlot cattle is $23.60 per case. This figure includes expenses related to veterinary care, medications, and other immediate treatments necessary to manage the disease in affected animals.

However, the financial burden extends far beyond the direct treatment costs. When scaled up to the entire feedlot industry, the total cost of treating respiratory disease reaches an estimated $54.12 million. This staggering amount highlights the widespread nature of BRD and the substantial resources required to address it on a large scale. Yet, these numbers only tell part of the story, as they primarily focus on the immediate expenses incurred during treatment.

What these figures do not account for are the broader economic losses associated with BRD, particularly those related to production losses due to morbidity and mortality. Cattle that suffer from respiratory disease often experience reduced growth rates, lower feed efficiency, and, in severe cases, death. These outcomes lead to significant losses in potential revenue, as affected animals may not reach their total market value. Consequently, the actual cost of BRD to the feedlot industry is likely much higher than the reported $54.12 million, making it a critical issue for cattle producers to address.

Symptoms

When it comes to diagnosing this disease, timing is crucial. The sooner you can diagnose, the sooner you can treat. A good acronym for diagnosing is D.A.R.T.

• Depression: A sick calf will have droopy ears and hold its head lower than usual. The calf also may move stiffly with its tail slightly tucked.
• Appetite: At feeding time, watch carefully for animals that are slow to come to eat or have reduced appetite. These symptoms are one of those cases where knowing your calves’ normal behavior is essential. Some calves are naturally timid coming to the bunk, so use your best judgment.
• Respiration: Look for abnormal patterns such as exaggerated, heavy breathing, flared nostrils, and a soft, persistent cough
• Temperature: This is the only objective measurement in this system. A calf’s average temperature is around 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is running at a temperature above 104 degrees, it may be eligible for treatment.

Treating this disease

When it comes to looking at BRD treatment options, some key considerations can lead to better treatment options.

1. Ensure that your antibiotic covers the four bacterial pathogens that cause this disease. Talking with your veterinarian will help you determine if it is the correct type.
2. The treatment should be proven to reach the lungs quickly and be effective for an extended period of time. Producers must visually observe that the calf has responded to the antibiotic and is showing signs of improvement.
3. Good record-keeping is essential. Record keeping helps communicate the treatment status of animals working on the operation. Knowing the treatment status ensures proper withdrawal times are followed. It also helps to know which antibiotic was used previously in case a calf needs a second treatment.
4. Working closely with a veterinarian is critical to the success of any protocol. If you are looking for ways to improve your treatment protocols, I discussed this in a previous post, ” How to develop outstanding treatment protocols.” A veterinarian can evaluate records and help make informed treatment decisions or changes.

Preventing this disease from happening in the first place

A typical turn of phrase that you may have heard many times is that ” an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This line of thinking is that it is cheaper to prevent the disease from happening in the first place than to treat it. The phrase is an excellent strategy to follow when dealing with BRD. Here are four things that you can use to prevent this disease from happening in the first place.

1. Reduce stress at all costs: Investing a bit more to ensure the receiving health of your cattle will pay dividends when it comes to BRD. Reducing stress begins with providing a clean environment with as slight overcrowding and dust as possible. Provide sufficient bedding as well so the animals can get much-needed rest.
2. Provide good nutrition early and often: When it comes to nutrition, water is a critical first nutrient. After a long, stressful trip, getting cattle clean water as quickly as possible will help them acclimate quicker. Secondly, you want to provide a highly palatable, nutrient-dense feed. Providing the right micronutrients to maximize health and performance is also critical.
3. Establish a vaccination program: Providing an excellent pre-emptive vaccine for your calves will go a long way toward preventing this disease from occurring in the first place.
4. Use your tools wisely: Remember that cattle are animals of prey, which means that they will do everything they can not to appear sick or wounded. Having a skilled eye to spot any potential symptoms is very important. It can be between 3-5 days from when an animal begins to experience the symptoms to when those symptoms can be visibly detected.