Livestock

Respiratory Disease in Adult Cattle Welfare

Respiratory disease in adult cattle including infectious bovine rhinotracheitis causes significant welfare impacts and economic losses in beef and dairy herds.

Key Facts

IBR (bovine herpesvirus-1) causes fever, nasal discharge, breathing difficulty and eye inflammation
UK has an eradication programme for IBR through the BCMS voluntary scheme
Co-infections with multiple respiratory pathogens are common
Vaccination is available and effective for many respiratory pathogens
Poorly ventilated housing significantly increases respiratory disease risk

Welfare Considerations

Respiratory disease in adult cattle causes significant acute welfare impacts including fever, pain, dyspnoea and systemic illness. Animals with respiratory disease have reduced feed intake, drop in milk production and impaired social interactions. Chronic respiratory disease leads to progressive lung damage and reduced quality of life. Prompt treatment with appropriate antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories is essential for welfare.

What You Can Do

Ensure adequate housing ventilation to reduce respiratory disease risk
Implement vaccination programmes for common respiratory pathogens
Monitor cattle daily for early signs of respiratory disease
Provide prompt veterinary treatment for confirmed respiratory cases
Support the IBR eradication programme through participation