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Respiratory illnesses in cattle cost the industry millions of dollars each year. And the risk of respiratory diseases, like shipping fever, increases due to fluctuating temperatures and increased stress. By vaccinating cattle for respiratory diseases, producers can help protect their cattle's performance and value. "As part of a larger respiratory complex, pasteurella pneumonia is one of the most expensive diseases in the industry," says Dr. Jon Seeger, senior technical services veterinarian for Pfizer Animal Health. "By controlling pasteurella pneumonia, producers can go a long way toward controlling this very expensive disease complex." Pasteurella pneumonia, commonly known as shipping fever, is caused by P. haemolytica. "The bacteria is a normal inhabitant of the nasal passages. In times of stress, cattle have increased respiratory rates and suck larger amounts of the bacteria in the lungs," Seeger says. Additionally, with increased stress, the ability of cattle to clear the bacteria from their lungs decrease, thus increasing the risk of pneumonia. Shipping fever can cause extensive lung damage, which can kill calves very quickly. Cattle that do survive the pneumonia usually have reduced performance throughout their lives. "The viral respiratory diseases, like IBR, PI3, BRSV and BVD, initially damage the lung tissue," Seeger says. "Then the bacteria, haemolytica or multocida, take hold." Since the immune system is already battling the viral infection, the calf has a difficult time fighting the bacteria. "It's the secondary bacterial infection that typically kills the calf." To control respiratory disease, Seeger says there are several steps a producer can take. "It's like a building block system. First, control stress. Limit the dust, hauling, etc. as much as possible."  Under normal conditions, a calf's immune system can typically fight off infection. When he's stressed, his immune re-sponse is compromised, and that is when he's most likely to get sick."The next step is to vaccinate for viral infections. Protection against viruses is critical since antibiotics don't kill a virus. Once they get a viral infection, only tender loving care will cure them." In the mean time, they need to be protected against secondary infections. That's where the third step comes in. A recent pasteurella vaccination will help prevent a bacterial infection from taking hold, Seeger explains. However, just because a calf has been vaccinated sometime in his life against bacterial infection, producers should not assume the protection is long lasting. "The bacterial vaccines only provide short-term immunity to pasteurella," Seeger explains. "In times of intense stress, I recommend revaccinating for the bacteria." According to Dr. Seeger, there are other management skills that can go a long way toward disease prevention. 1) Purchase healthy, minimally stressed, prevaccinated cattle. By trying to save a few dollars by purchasing unvaccinated, highly stressed or marginal quality cattle, producers are buying a problem. 2) Handle vaccines properly. Store and administer the vaccines according to label directions. 3) Handle livestock correctly. Process the cattle quietly with as little fuss and dust as possible. 4) Process all of the cattle at one time. Don't mix newly purchased cattle with cattle already processed. Adding new cattle to a group changes the social structures and disease patterns of the group and stresses the immune system of the cattle. 5) Vaccinate the herd prior to the challenge. Vaccinate calves at least two weeks prior to weaning to help prevent pneumonia and shipping fever. 6) Wean in good climate conditions. Avoid processing cattle, if possible, just before, during or right after severe weather changes. By following these steps and properly vaccinating cattle, producers can significantly reduce the risk of pasteurella pneumonia, Dr. Seeger says.. |
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