Pneumonia doesn't end with winter
The recent spate of frosts has prompted one veterinary advisor to warn beef farmers to be on their guard against pneumonia all year round, not just during the winter months.
Although most farmers think of pneumonia as a winter problem, there is still a substantial risk during warmer weather, especially for young calves that are outdoors for the first time, says Carolyn Hogan, Livestock Veterinary Advisor for Pfizer Animal Health.
"Any sudden change in weather or temperature can stress young animals and lower their resistance to respiratory infections," she says. "The changeable conditions that many areas, particularly in the South, have experienced recently are a reminder that calves are vulnerable all year round. Hot days followed by cold nights are not uncommon in the spring and early summer, and this can quickly cause problems in first year calves.
"These young animals can deteriorate very rapidly and need to be treated as soon as possible to prevent permanent lung damage."
Studies have shown that some level of permanent scarring can occur after as little as 8 hours. If more than 20% of the lung tissue is damaged in this way, then the animal may never reach its potential, even if the pneumonia is treated successfully. As the animal grows it may even eventually outgrow its remaining lung capacity, which can result in sudden death.1
"The answer is to keep a close eye on all calves, especially when there has been a wide variation in the daytime and night-time temperatures, or if there has been a sudden change in the weather, such as a summer storm or strong winds.
"Unfortunately, this can be more difficult in the spring / summer when animals have been turned out. Occasionally the first sign that something is wrong is a calf that has collapsed in the field."
If calves start to show the characteristic signs of pneumonia, then Carolyn Hogan suggests early treatment with a proven antibiotic, such as Draxxin®.
"It is important to make sure that the calf receives a full course of antibiotic treatment to reduce the risk of a relapse and to give the natural defence mechanisms in the lungs time to recover. This is why treatment should provide cover for several days after the calf shows the first signs of recovery, such as a reduction in fever, easier breathing and normal feeding.
"If you quit too soon, then the infection could return and it is usually much harder to treat the second time around," she adds.
Draxxin has a long duration of action which maintains active levels of antibacterial drug in the lungs for 9 to15 days and therefore can provide a complete course of treatment, with a sufficient duration of antibacterial cover, from a single injection. So it is less stressful for the animal and saves time for the farmer.
Although pneumonia can occur at any time of year, if farmers experience a high level of cases in very young calves they should consider factors such as health of the adult cows, and possible risk factors around the time of calving, and very importantly ensure adequate colostrum intake , says Miss Hogan.
"Young calves owe much of their resistance to calfhood diseases to the antibodies that they get from colostrum. If the cow is producing poor quality colostrum with a low level of antibodies, or if the calf is not being given sufficient quantities as soon as possible after birth, then its ability to fight infections may be reduced.
Miss Hogan points out that good calf management including good nutrition during the first few weeks of life will help calves to cope with environmental stresses much better and thus help avoid calfhood health problems.
