Bovine respiratory disease is the most costly disease in the cattle industry and causes significant animal suffering. Prevention through management and vaccination improves both welfare and productivity.
Bovine respiratory disease causes fever, painful coughing, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, death. The disease often begins silently and progresses rapidly, meaning animals may have been suffering for days before obvious clinical signs appear. Chronic cases lead to lung scarring and permanent reduced productivity. The stress associated with weaning and transport that triggers many outbreaks is itself a significant welfare concern. Prevention through vaccination programs, stress reduction strategies, good ventilation, and appropriate stocking density simultaneously improves animal welfare and reduces antibiotic use.