Farm Animal Welfare

Farm Cattle: Pneumonia Early Detection

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most costly disease of beef cattle and a major welfare concern, with early detection dramatically improving outcomes.

Key Facts

BRD accounts for over 70% of illness and 40% of deaths in feedlot cattle
Clinical signs including nasal discharge, depression, and elevated respiratory rate emerge 1-3 days before obvious illness
Automated fever detection systems using bolus sensors can identify sick animals 36-48 hours before visual signs
Treatment success rates drop significantly with each day of delay after infection
Regular pen-walking twice daily enables earlier detection than once-daily observation

Welfare Considerations

Respiratory disease causes acute pain, severe malaise, and difficulty breathing that progressively worsens without treatment. Early detection is the single most impactful welfare intervention available, as prompt antibiotic treatment at early clinical signs resolves disease rapidly. Systematic observation protocols and technology-assisted monitoring reduce suffering duration.

What You Can Do

Implement twice-daily observation of all calf pens with trained observers
Consider automated temperature monitoring systems in high-risk housing
Train staff to recognise early clinical signs of BRD
Have a clear treatment protocol ready before cattle arrive
Work with your vet to monitor treatment success rates and adjust protocols