![]() Prevention of pneumonia can be difficult, however proper management can most definitely reduce the incidence of disease. Calves experiencing pneumonia will have decreased rates of gain, may experience permanent lung damage, produce less milk in the first lactation, and are more likely to be culled from the herd. Calves raised indoors often have a higher incidence of disease than those raised outdoors. Infectious pneumonia is more common in bottle fed calves than dam raised calves, and is a common problem in veal calves. Pneumonia is the most under diagnosed illness as many animals show few signs of disease until they are severely ill. Environmental stressors resulting in a compromised immune system allow an initial viral respiratory infection followed by a secondary bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract. The cause of pneumonia is similar to that for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) complex. The calf will first produce mucus to help clear the airway, which often results in a runny nose, and will produce a fever to fight the infection. If one entry point is blocked, then the entire segment does not work anymore. ![]() The lungs are heavily segmented and each segment only has one airway entry point. The airways in the calf’s lungs are relatively narrow and can become blocked easily. Most commonly this condition occurs in calves 4-5 weeks of age, however it can happen in younger and older animals. Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the lungs. Thoroughly evaluate the animal and work with your veterinarian to establish a treatment protocol. If no fever is present then do not use antibiotics and just let the condition run its course.Ī runny nose in conjunction with a fever, cough, and labored breathing may be an indication of pneumonia. Nasal discharge may be clear, mucus, or pus type. When viruses and bacteria infect the sinuses, a head cold is produced and does not affect the lungs. On very hot, dusty, windy, or even cold days or in response to allergens, the sinuses can become inflamed and discharge excess drainage out the nose, even if there is no infection. A runny nose results from drainage from the nasal passageways.
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