Bovine respiratory disease, more commonly referred to as dairy calf pneumonia, is a leading cause of death in pre-weaning calves.

Stress factors leading to dairy calf pneumonia

Fluctuations in weather/temperature
Extreme changes in weather and temperature are very stressful on animals, especially young calves. Workers must ensure the calves are properly bedded so they can nest into the bedding and keep warm. Also, it is important that ventilation systems function properly to eliminate additional stress from excessive pathogen load and ammonia.

Shipping and mixing cattle
When calves are moved, stress levels rise and new germs are introduced. Therefore, workers must monitor recently moved calves.

Feeding issues
Workers must monitor feed, milk and water intake daily. Ensure that the feed is free from mold and contamination with dirt or manure. Water should be provided free-choice after calves are 3 days old. Clean sanitized feed buckets and bottles will help prevent the spread of disease from calf to calf. Clean, automatic waterers can help prevent the spread of disease too. Feed changes should be made gradually to allow calves to adapt.

Symptoms of dairy calf pneumonia:

Reduced milk or feed intake The monitoring of feed intake in an individual pen is fairly simple but becomes more difficult in group pens. To ensure that each animal receives the appropriate amount of feed, workers must make sure animals are grouped by size and not age.

Head tilt or droopy ears
Calves’ ears are a good indicator of healthiness. As a calf becomes sick the ear begins to droop, and if infection progresses into the middle ear, the head will often tilt to one side. These infections can occur on both sides of the animal too. Workers should note ear and head position daily.

Cough and nasal discharge
An occasional cough is normal, but frequent coughing is a cause for concern. Normal discharge should be clear, but, as a calf becomes sick, the amount of discharge will increase and become cloudy. Workers should note any change in discharge or increase in coughing.

Weakness
Workers must closely monitor calves that appear weak or less energetic. Calves that have trouble standing most likely have a very serious infection and need immediate medical attention.

Fever
If workers notice some of the above-mentioned symptoms, the calf’s temperature should be taken. For the most accurate reading, temperatures should be taken in the morning. A temperature greater than 103°F indicates sickness and, if other symptoms are present, the need for treatment.

Noticing day-to-day changes in animal behavior is essential, so one staff member with daily animal interactions should be responsible for documenting changes. If dairy calf pneumonia is suspected, the proper treatment should be started. Consult with your veterinarian for treatment procedures.  EL

Dr. Larry Hawkins
Senior Technical Services Veterinarian
Bayer Animal Health

This article topic also appears in Progressive Dairyman. This article has been written specifically for dairy employees. The article in Progressive Dairyman is written for dairy owners and herdsmen.

El Lechero recommends dairy teams read the articles and then discuss how to apply these principles on their own dairies.