Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Bovine Respiratory Disease

BRD symptoms in cattle: Knowing the most common BRD symptoms to watch out for in your cattle herd.

At a glance

• BRD affects cattle at all life stages, but most commonly occurs in young, naive cattle.
• Knowing the most common BRD symptoms to look out for is critical for early intervention and disease management.
• It is important to work with a veterinarian to implement a BRD vaccination protocol that can help cattle build immunity.
• When BRD treatment is needed, consult with your herd veterinarian to choose the best antibiotic to meet your operational goals.

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a multifactorial disease caused by a combination of pathogens, environmental factors and management practices and can lead to increased mortality rate or chronic pneumonia that results in decreased profitability for your operation.

BRD can affect cattle at all life stages, but most commonly occurs in young, naive cattle because they often experience multiple stress events simultaneously, including transportation, comingling, environmental fluctuations and nutritional changes.

BRD symptoms

Since BRD can lead to multiple undesired outcomes for your cattle and operation, it is important to know the clinical signs of BRD. Spotting BRD can sometimes be difficult, but it is critical for early intervention and disease mitigation. Listed below are the most common clinical signs to watch for:

• Coughing
• Nasal and/or ocular discharge
• Depression
• Diminished appetite
• Shallow or labored breathing
• Fever over 104°F (>40°C)

These clinical signs can be used to determine illness in all beef and dairy cattle classes. Early detection and treatment are important for decreasing the spread of disease and the likelihood of death. As the disease advances, cattle are at risk of developing chronic infections that may result in lung consolidation and fibrosis, making full recovery unlikely.

BRD prevention and treatment plan

Choosing BRD vaccines and the best antibiotic to treat BRD is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Working with your veterinarian to develop a vaccine protocol that works for your operation is important. Since BRD most commonly affects young calves, it is recommended to vaccinate before stressful events, such as transportation, diet changes or comingling to boost their immune system and build immunity to the viruses that can predispose to bacterial infection.

If treatment is needed, consult with your herd veterinarian. Any products labeled for treatment and control of BRD must have a prescription from a veterinarian with a valid Veterinarian-Client-Patient-Relationship (VCPR). Choosing an antibiotic and administering the appropriate dosage at the onset of BRD symptoms can help mitigate the spread and impact of BRD. When using an antibiotic for treatment and control, practicing antibiotic stewardship is most important. Regardless of the antibiotic used, it is important to continue monitoring calves and follow recommended protocol for re-treatment.

Talk with your Elanco representative today or visit ElancoBRD.com to learn more about preventing and managing BRD.