Pneumonia

• Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by infectious agent, either a virus or bacteria.
• Pneumonia in cattle is a complicated disease with multiple factors that can impact its onset.
• Pneumonia often occurs following the interaction of stress (i.e. handling, transport) and an infectious agent (bacteria, virus).
• Pneumonia is commonly linked to Bovine Respiratory Diseases especially in Feedlot cattle.

• A combination of factors can cause pneumonia in cattle such as an infectious agent (bacteria, virus, or a combination of both); weather or environmental conditions; animal management; type of cattle; and poor cattle immune system.
• Viruses that initiate pneumonia in cattle are infectious bovine rhinotracheitis IBR, bovine respiratory syncytial (BRSV), parainfluenza 3 (P13), bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD), and certain rhino viruses.
• Bacteria that are involved in pneumonia in cattle are Mannheimia hemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, Salmonella spp., and Mycoplasma spp.

• Affected animals may display the following signs: nasal/ocular/oral discharge, depression, lethargy, emaciated body condition, laboured or rapid shallow breathing, coughing, extended head and neck, and droopy ears.
• In addition, animals may have decline in weight or growth rate and will have reduced feed intake.

• Based on history, clinical signs and reports from feedlot and meat works.

• Isolate affected animals in a well-ventilated area protected from excessive cold or heat; maintain hydration, andprovide easy access to water and feed.
• It is important to keep physical stress of an animal affected by pneumonia to a minimum.
• Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment may aid recovery.

• Preventive strategies should be aimed at minimising adverse effects of potential stressors that may increase susceptibility to clinical infection, as well as reducing pathogen exposure and transmission.
• To prevent pneumonia in cattle the following should be taken into consideration:
  • Avoid moving stock in extreme conditions: heat, cold, very dusty.
  • Avoid overcrowding in all situations: grazing, stockyards, transportation.
  • Avoid immediate and sudden diet changes.
  • Minimise the mixing of herds.
  • Provide appropriate shelter from extreme conditions.
  • Ensure continual access to clean water.
  • Separating affected animals from non-infected.
• Alternatively, there are number of measures that can be implemented on farm to prepare cattle for feedlots to help prevent pneumonia including:
  • Yard weaning.
  • introduction to trough feeding and watering.
  • Drenching.
  • Dehorning.
  • Castration.
  • Vaccination against a range of diseases such as Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) pathogens (both bacterial and viral).

MLA- Bovine respiratory disease

Pneumonia Factsheet

Antimicrobial stewardship guidelines for the Australian cattle feedlot industry

Tip & Tool - Summary of Bovine Respiratory Disease preventative practices

Lot feeding and intensive feeding - backgrounding

Evaluation of practices used to reduce the incidence of bovine respiratory disease in Australia feedlots

Animal Health Australia - Cattle health and biosecurity (general information)