Calf pneumonia prevention

Stress, resulting from management practises, sub-optimal nutrition and, in young calves, poor immunity as a result of inadequate colostrum intake, all increase susceptibility to calf pneumonia. Viruses are often the initial invader. They cause lung damage that soon allows secondary bacterial infections to take hold.

• A temperature of greater than 39.5 °C

• Increased breathing rate and effort

• Coughing

• A nasal discharge which is initially clear and watery, but becomes thick and pus-like as the disease progresses

During the early stages of infection calf pneumonia can be difficult to detect. An elevated temperature is the first sign of disease and typically occurs 12-72 hours before detectable clinical signs appear¹.

Around 14% of dairy heifers fail to reach their first lactation and pneumonia is a major contributor to this².

Calf pneumonia impacts heavily on production costs in the dairy sector. The average cost of a calf pneumonia outbreak has been calculated as a minimum of £43.25 per sick calf³. Daily liveweight gains, targeted at 0.8 kg/day, can drop as low as 0.4 kg/day after an episode of respiratory disease. This growth check directly increases production costs, and can result in a reduction in lifetime productivity⁷.

Speak to your vet about the most appropriate treatment.