Viral pathogens including BRSV, BVD, IBR, and PI-3 predispose cattle to secondary bacterial pneumonia, and vaccination programs significantly reduce disease burden and suffering.
Viral pathogens that predispose cattle to pneumonia cause significant suffering - affected cattle are febrile, anorexic, and dyspnoeic, with secondary bacterial infection worsening disease severity and duration. Prevention through comprehensive vaccination programs reduces both the frequency and severity of respiratory outbreaks. The welfare benefit is clear: vaccinated herds have fewer respiratory cases, faster recovery when cases occur, and lower mortality rates. Combining vaccination with stress reduction, biosecurity, and early detection further reduces the burden of viral respiratory disease.