Watch now for signs of pneumonia and plan to prevent outbreaks in 2007
As winter draws on and the Met Office forecasts more cold and wet weather
during March, pneumonia outbreaks will doubtless continue to occur (see
attached NADIS graph). The impact of an outbreak can be widespread and
significant, not only for the affected animal which may suffer from impaired
performance for the rest of its life, but also for other herd members, as they will
have been exposed to the infection through contact with infected animals.
Many farmers find that now is the best time of year to consider pneumonia
prevention for the forthcoming season, in order to avoid losing animals, the
health and welfare implications and the extra work and time associated with an
outbreak. Recent reports published in the veterinary press state that
Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica is often the most commonly found
bacteria in outbreaks of respiratory disease in groups of calves. These findings
were from tests done on the lungs of animals which had died, and also through
nasal swabs in living animals. The virus was found in 90% of the lung samples,
and 85% of the nasal swabs.
More often than not, pneumonia will involve bacterial (such as Pasteurella) and
viral (RSV, PI3 or IBR, for example) components. In cattle throughout the UK,
Pasteurella and RSV typically account for disease in younger calves, while IBR
usually affects slightly older animals. PI3 is a common viral component of
pneumonia in calves of any age. For controlling all these components, there
remains only one combined viral and bacterial vaccine on the market – Bovilis®
Bovipast RSP. This can be administered from as early as two weeks of age, and
can be followed up with Bovilis® IBR in at-risk herds or where there is a history of
IBR. It is worth noting that antibiotics will only help with bacterial infections - they
do not have any effect on a viral infection.
A typical course of two doses of a pneumonia vaccine costs less than £10/head.
Independent vet studies have shown that the losses associated with an outbreak
of pneumonia can be as much as £43/dairy calf and £82/beef calf. No-one can
manage a business with regular losses like this, so prevention is critical.
Contact the practice for more information.