5 Important Facts: Bovine Respiratory Disease

Key Takeaways

• Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most costly health challenges in the U.S. cattle industry, impacting cattle of all ages and costing feedlots an estimated $1 billion annually.
• Common BRD symptoms include coughing, fever, nasal discharge, reduced appetite, lethargy, and labored or rapid breathing, making early detection critical.
• BRD is a complex disease influenced by stress, poor vaccination programs, parasites, environmental conditions, and viral and bacterial pathogens. 
• Prevention relies on a multifaceted approach that includes adequate colostrum intake, strong vaccination and deworming programs, low-stress handling, proper nutrition, and sourcing preconditioned calves.
• Prompt veterinary-guided treatment with effective antibiotics helps affected cattle recover faster, return to normal gain, and reduce long-term performance losses.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most common and costly diseases affecting the United States cattle industry. What is BRD? In the broadest sense, it is a disease of the lower or upper respiratory tracts in cattle. BRD doesn’t discriminate -- the disease can impact cattle of any age, whether calves or mature cattle. Symptoms should be closely monitored and addressed early.

With such risks posed to cattle health, and operational profitability, make sure you’re up to speed on BRD with these facts.

BRD in cattle costs the U.S. feedlot industry an estimated annual loss of $1 billion.

• • Factors contributing to this financial burden -- and herd health concern -- include production loss, increased labor expenses, medication costs and death because of BRD.

BRD Symptoms

• • BRD symptoms in cattle include coughing, rapid and shallow breathing, appetite suppression, depression and lethargy, nasal discharge, difficulty breathing and fever.

A complex disease, what causes BRD includes:

• • Poor vaccination program, leading to heightened risk
  • Stressful events, such as weaning, transport, auction, castration, dehorning, and changes in feed
  • Host factors, including the animal’s immunity, genetics and age
  • Environmental factors, like weather conditions, overcrowding and commingling
  • Parasite infections, both internal or external
  • Viruses, including bovine parainfluenza virus (PI3), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus and bovine coronavirus (BCV)
  • Pathogens, including Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni and Mycoplasma bovis

BRD in cattle can be prevented through a multifaceted approach. Help avoid and manage the risk for BRD by:

• • Ensuring calves receive adequate colostrum intake following birth
  • Having a strong vaccination program in place to shield the herd against respiratory challenges, to both viral and bacterial pathogens
  • Having an effective cattle deworming program in place
  • Sourcing preconditioned calves from reliable cow/calf operators
  • Preventing overcrowding and reducing pen movements
  • Implementing low-stress handling practices
  • Offering cattle adequate levels of essential vitamins and minerals

An effective first treatment for BRD will help the animal return to peak performance and gain.

Ranchers will need to talk with their veterinarian about the best antibiotic for BRD in cattle. With a prescription, you can order a number of trusted options for BRD treatment in cattle, available from veterinarian-founded ValleyVet.com, such as:

• • Draxxin
  • Tulissin 100 (generic of Draxxin)
  • Draxxin 25
  • Tulissin 25 (generic of Draxxin 25)
  • Draxxin KP

Whether for horse, livestock, or pet, Valley Vet Supply is your one-stop shop for trusted care. Explore more of our cattle category at ValleyVet.com