Livestock

Pneumonia in Adult Cattle: Welfare and Treatment

How respiratory disease in adult cattle affects welfare and what treatment optimises outcomes.

Key Facts

Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida are primary bacterial agents in adult BRD
Shipping fever typically occurs within 2 weeks of transport or mixing
Early clinical scoring and prompt treatment dramatically improves welfare outcomes
Chronic pneumonia cases may require extended antibiotic courses or culling

Welfare Considerations

Adult cattle pneumonia causes fever, respiratory distress, and significant pain. Welfare-focused management trains stockpeople to detect early clinical signs using validated respiratory scoring tools. Prompt NSAID and antibiotic treatment reduces the duration and severity of welfare compromise. Post-treatment monitoring identifies non-responders who require treatment change or compassionate euthanasia.

What You Can Do

Train stockpeople in validated clinical respiratory scoring systems for cattle
Ensure NSAID treatment accompanies antibiotic therapy for welfare in acute BRD
Monitor treated cattle daily for treatment response — adjust therapy if signs are not resolving within 48 hours