Pneumonia: the silent killer
Controlling BRD in suckler weanlings is challenging.
In the most recent all-island animal disease surveillance report, pneumonia was diagnosed in 47.6% of suckler weanlings submitted for post-mortem. Pneumonia, also known as bovine respiratory disease (BRD), is the most significant infectious disease challenge in suckler weanlings.
Bovine respiratory disease can be caused by a host of viruses and bacteria. Regular monitoring of weanlings for clinical signs of pneumonia is vital to early treatment and reducing incidence rates.
Controlling BRD in suckler weanlings is challenging. Developing a herd health plan that addresses each area is vital to reducing the impact of BRD. Reducing stress through good weaning procedures is key to maintaining a robust immune system.
Vaccination can help to develop immunity to the most common pathogens that cause pneumonia but cannot be relied upon alone. Managing parasite burden especially lungworm around weaning time is becoming more important as the prevalence of lungworm appears to increase.
