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Solving a disease outbreak in a group of calves may require intense investigation. Veterinarians and producers often find themselves looking for clues and asking questions to point them to the culprits.
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is still a major cause of sickness and death in young beef and dairy calves. While vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent losses associated with BRD, it’s often assumed that intranasal vaccines are the best approach in younger calves. However, recent research shows that previous perceptions about injectable respiratory vaccines may not be accurate, and that both types of vaccines have a place in BRD prevention.
By now it is well established that despite greater knowledge of animal health and management, analytical abilities and advanced antibiotic technologies, morbidity and mortality has increased over the past 10-plus years.
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the number one cause of feedlot cattle death in North America and represents more than 70% of all feedlot death and sickness. BRD is the single largest source of morbidity and mortality in feedlots, causing an estimated $2 billion to $3 billion in losses annually.
It’s estimated nearly 9% of beef cattle operations have a calf persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). This might seem like a small percentage, but presence of BVDV can mean a risk for something more.
Most producers turn to modified live vaccine to prevent issues with bovine respiratory disease (BRD), according to a recent Progressive Cattle online poll.
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in both pre- and post-weaned calves can be a major challenge. The latest National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) study conducted in 2014 found 11.3% of enrolled pre-weaned dairy calves showed clinical signs of BRD, of which 88% were treated with an antibiotic.
Costing an estimated $900 million to cattle producers each year, it’s no secret bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the biggest threats to the profitability of feedlots in the U.S.
If bovine respiratory disease (BRD) prevention measures have failed and you need to treat BRD with an antibiotic, the price on the bottle is easy to see. You’re likely not excited to make this purchase, which costs a pretty penny.
