Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle High-Altitude Pulmonary Hypertension

High-altitude disease (brisket disease) affects cattle at elevations above 2,000 metres. Genetic selection and management can reduce its prevalence.

Key Facts

High altitude pulmonary hypertension affects up to 5% of cattle at altitude
Hypoxia causes pulmonary vasoconstriction and right heart failure
Clinical signs include brisket oedema, exercise intolerance, and death
Cattle with high cardiac scores are at greatest risk
Selecting low-altitude breeding bulls reduces risk in high-altitude herds

Welfare Considerations

Cattle developing high-altitude pulmonary hypertension experience progressive heart failure - fluid accumulation, breathlessness, and exercise intolerance before death. The condition is often fatal without early intervention (moving to lower altitude). Genetic selection for altitude tolerance prevents suffering in herds managed at elevation.

What You Can Do

Select low cardiac score bulls for high-altitude herds
Move individual animals showing brisket oedema to lower altitude promptly
Consult a livestock veterinarian about altitude disease management
Support research into genetic selection for altitude-tolerant cattle