Herd health 3

Bovine Respirator Disease complex (BRD) is found particularly in

calves, feedlots, stockers operations and is one of the most commonly seen disease complexes that affect cattle industry

BRD is the result of

complex factors working together to cause disease in cattle

what factors can contribute to immune suppression that can lead to BRD complex

viruses, mingling, mixing animals, transportation (stress and close proximity), handling (stress), housing (enclosed/no airflow), weather (drastic changes with night cooling)

when you mix all of the complex factors with a bacteria such as

pasturella haemolytica you are likely to get pneumonia

why is BRD referred to as complex

because multiple events and organisms work together to create the disease which is why vaccines only DO NOT work

how can you reduce the chances of BRD

break the chain of events (stressor causes like handling, transport, etc.)

when do signs of BRD develop

5-14 days following environmental or management stress (immune suppression)

What is the first symptom of BRD

anorexia (24-48 hrs before temp rise)

why do BRD symptoms develop after 5-14 days

all organisms have an incubation period

why is BRD hard to catch at first

because anorexia and diarrhea (due to abnormal abdominal fill and food not digesting) are difficult to catch at first

What are other signs of BRD

coughing, ocular discharge, nasal discharge (usually discolored), rapid/shallow breathing, reluctance to move, depression

why can it be difficult to diagnose cattle with this disease

some cattle have high predator-prey avoidance behavior so even if they are not feeling well they will still expend energy to move and walk away, appearing fine

if an animal is coughing does that mean it had BRD

no, coughing can also come from dust from feeds or grass or dirt,

what system do feedlots use when assessing cattle for BRD

DART ( depression, attitude, respiratory rate, temp increase)

what is a normal temperature for cattle

101.5 but can fluctuate a bit during heat

BRD or Shipping Fever is a

complex respiratory disease feedlot and stocker operations face VERY contagious

BRD can be

genetic and can devalue cattle for their owner

what is the cause of BRD

a primary infection (PI3 or IBR) + secondary bacterial infection (pasteurella multocida) + environmental stress

what disease causes the lungs to turn a dark red instead of light pink color

BRD

How can we increase resistance (strengthen the immune system) for BRD

Proper nutrition, lowering stress (bovine appeasing substance), vaccinations, genetic testing for susceptibility

how can we decrease the challenge (decrease number of organisms in and around animal)

depends on the mode of transmission - aerosol, direct contact, ingestion

How is BRD transmitted

aerosol

treatments for BRD include

antibiotics for bacteria, anti inflammatory drugs to reduce tissue damage

what must you be careful of when treating sick animals especially those with BRD

do not stress then out when treating them as their immune system is already severely stressed

metaphylactic antibiotic therapy refers to

determining which animal is most high risk so you can get to the problem before it is too late or visible