Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is the most costly cattle health problem globally and a major source of welfare harm. Prevention through management and vaccination dramatically reduces suffering.
BRD causes acute respiratory distress -- fever, labored breathing, nasal discharge, and depression characterize affected cattle. Without treatment, progression to fatal pneumonia occurs rapidly. Animals that survive severe BRD often have permanent lung consolidation that impairs respiratory capacity for the rest of their lives. The stress-disease relationship makes transport and mixing management critically important for prevention. Early detection through regular cattle monitoring and prompt antibiotic treatment reduces both duration of suffering and long-term welfare impact. Vaccination programs that reduce the severity of viral priming for secondary bacterial infection substantially reduce BRD burden.