Livestock

Brisket Disease in Cattle at High Altitude

How high altitude affects cattle cardiovascular welfare and how disease is managed.

Key Facts

Brisket disease is caused by pulmonary hypertension in cattle at altitude above 1500m
Causes right-sided heart failure — brisket oedema, ascites, and exercise intolerance
Genetically susceptible animals are most affected — heritability is moderate
Descending to lower altitude resolves early cases — advanced cases require culling

Welfare Considerations

Brisket disease causes progressive cardiovascular welfare decline — exercise intolerance, oedema, and eventually respiratory failure. Welfare management identifies susceptible animals early through clinical monitoring and echocardiography. Prompt descent to lower altitude or culling of severely affected animals prevents prolonged suffering. Genetic selection against susceptibility is reducing incidence in high-altitude cattle populations.

What You Can Do

Avoid grazing genetically susceptible cattle at high altitude during sensitive periods
Monitor cattle at altitude for early signs of brisket disease — brisket swelling and exercise intolerance
Support genetic selection programmes reducing brisket disease susceptibility in beef breeds