Bovine respiratory disease is the leading cause of mortality and welfare loss in young calves, with prevention through vaccination, housing, and colostrum management being highly effective.
Calf pneumonia causes acute suffering through fever, difficulty breathing, and generalised illness. Calves with untreated or inadequately treated pneumonia experience prolonged suffering and face risks of chronic lung damage that impairs long-term welfare and productivity. The preventable nature of the disease makes its continued high prevalence a welfare concern. Investments in adequate colostrum management, appropriate housing with good ventilation and bedding, and targeted vaccination programmes prevent significant volumes of animal suffering at relatively low cost.