Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most economically significant cattle disease in the UK, causing significant animal suffering through fever, laboured breathing, and painful pleurisy when undertreated.
BRD causes acute and chronic suffering. Early pneumonia involves fever, anorexia, and laboured breathing. Untreated or late-treated animals develop pleurisy — inflammation of the lung lining — which is acutely painful and leaves permanent lung damage. Chronic ill-thrift reduces quality of life for survivors. Welfare-focused protocols emphasise early detection using respiratory scoring and prompt treatment with appropriate analgesics.