Pneumonic Pasteurellosis in Cattle: Welfare and Control

How Pasteurella multocida causes respiratory disease and how welfare-focused control works.

Key Facts

Pasteurella multocida is a commensal that becomes pathogenic under stress conditions
Part of the bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex with Mannheimia haemolytica
Mortality without treatment can be high in outbreak situations
Vaccination significantly reduces welfare burden in high-risk groups

Welfare Considerations

Pneumonic pasteurellosis causes fever, severe respiratory distress, and rapid deterioration without treatment. Welfare-focused management maintains conditions that minimise stress-induced immune suppression — avoiding overcrowding, extreme temperature fluctuations, and unnecessary mixing. Prompt treatment with appropriate antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories is essential for welfare. Vaccination of high-risk groups (incoming bought-in cattle) reduces outbreak risk significantly.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate high-risk cattle groups against BRD pathogens before stress events
Maintain optimal housing conditions to reduce immunosuppressive stress
Train staff in BRD clinical scoring and treat early — outcomes are much better with prompt intervention