Causes and symptoms of bronchopneumonia in calves, treatment regimens and prevention

To successfully breed cattle and make a good profit from it, you will need not only proper care, but also the ability to identify diseases and carry out their adequate and timely treatment. One of the most common pathologies in calves is bronchopneumonia. Prevention of this dangerous disease is also equally important.

What is bronchopneumonia?

Otherwise, this pathology is called catarrhal pneumonia.Since calves suffer quite often, and the consequences often lead to the death of animals, farm owners suffer considerable material damage. The disease mainly affects the respiratory system of the body, namely the bronchi and alveoli. In some cases, other organs are also affected. In the future, intoxication occurs, and the weakened body of the calf is subjected to even greater negative effects.

Bronchopneumonia in calves is treatable, but it produces a number of complications:

• the breeding qualities of males deteriorate;
• reproductive function suffers;
• Poor weight gain.

The disease is not infectious and therefore not contagious. Provoking factors are colds and hypothermia.

The disease lasts a long time and involves the following changes in the body:

• damage to the central nervous system;
• accumulation of blood in the lungs;
• swelling of the bronchi and bronchioles;
• pneumonia;
• breathing disorder.

Where the source of inflammation is localized, the functions of the lungs are disrupted, as a result of which healthy areas are forced to take on additional load. Shortness of breath appears, body temperature rises. Next, the kidneys are affected - the functioning of the filters is disrupted.

If the liver is weakened, then toxic substances enter it from the gastrointestinal tract, from where they are distributed throughout the body through the bloodstream, triggering inflammatory processes in organs and tissues.

After the death of a calf due to bronchopneumonia, the following changes are found in its body:

• compactions in the lungs;
• swelling of the upper respiratory tract;
• the heart has an unnatural shade;
• damage to the bronchi and lungs;
• mucus in the bronchi and bronchioles;
• uneven surface of the lungs;
• lesions in the upper parts of the lungs;
• the presence of granular formations in the lungs;
• liver enlargement;
• inflammation of the lymphatic system.

Causes and symptoms of the disease

The reasons for the development of bronchopneumonia in calves are different:

• lack of vitamins (A and C);
• poor living conditions (lack of normal ventilation, unsystematic cleaning of the room, causing the air to become dusty and the room dirty);
• improper metabolism, disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system;
• stress;
• an unsuitable couple for producing offspring, as a result of which calves are born with physiological abnormalities and weakened immunity;
• hypothermia or overheating (drafts, cold, hot and dry air);
• colds left to chance;
• high level of humidity in the room where animals are located;
• errors when feeding colostrum.

Acute form

There are three forms of the disease:

• acute;
• subacute;
• chronic.

Each of them is characterized by certain symptoms. The acute stage develops within 10 days. During this period, the calf requires urgent veterinary care, a thorough examination, and samples. Signs of acute bronchopneumonia are as follows:

1. Weakness.
2. Tearing.
3. Reluctance to eat.
4. Discharge of mucus from the nose (gradually turns into pus).
5. Throat breathing.
6. Cough. At first dry and sparse, then (in the absence of proper treatment) wet and frequent.
7. Breathing through the mouth.
8. Increased level of white blood cells (determined by tests).

Subacute

Lasts for 2-4 weeks. Symptoms of this stage are:

1. No appetite.
2. The weight of the calf decreases (as a consequence of the first point).
3. A slight increase in temperature in the evening (normal during the day).
4. Dyspnea. The calf begins to wheeze.
5. Diarrhea.
6. Exacerbations occur in the form of a sharp increase in temperature and deterioration in well-being.

Chronic

This form of the disease in cows is characterized by the following symptoms:

1. Constant cough.
2. Runny nose.
3. Wheezing in the lungs.
4. Retarded physical development.

Calves with chronic bronchopneumonia are culled. However, they cannot be sent for slaughter, since the meat of such animals is not recommended for consumption, even after careful heat treatment.

Diagnostic methods

The presence of pathology can be determined based on the results of laboratory tests:

• blood chemistry;
• X-ray of the lungs (in the presence of bronchopneumonia, local shadows, a clearer bronchial pattern, and a blurred cardio-diaphragmatic pattern are detected in the image);
• Analysis of urine;
• bronchopulmonary test.

It is also necessary to assess the conditions of keeping young animals and the behavior of the calf (both in grazing and indoors). All this information is of great importance for making an accurate diagnosis.

When diagnosing, it is important to distinguish the symptoms of bronchopneumonia from signs of other (similar) diseases. For example, coughing in calves can occur for the following reasons:

• helminthiasis (echinococci accumulate in the lungs and provoke a cough);
• presence of a foreign object in the upper respiratory tract;
• pollen allergy;
• chemical poisoning.

Methods for treating bronchopneumonia in cattle

The sick calf is placed in a separate pen and given the necessary care. Basic therapy measures include the following procedures:

1. Inhalation. Increases blood circulation, substances are quickly and easily absorbed. For the procedure you will need turpentine, baking soda, herbs, oil extracts, proteolytic enzymes.
2. A course of antibiotics.
3. Taking anti-allergy medications.
4. Increasing the body's protective functions with the help of immunostimulants.

Antibacterial therapy

The calf treatment regimen is based on the use of antibiotics - Penicillin and Streptomycin. These medications are effective in acute forms of bronchopneumonia. The first drug is injected intramuscularly, the second - intravenously three times a day. The course of therapy is about a week.

Antiallergic drugs

Antihistamines reduce vascular permeability and improve the absorption of antibiotics, preventing the occurrence of drug allergies. Common medications prescribed for catarrhal pneumonia include:

• "Suprastin";
• calcium gluconate;
• sodium thiosulfate;
• "Pipolfen."

Immunostimulants

The disease weakens the body's protective functions, so it is necessary to help it fight the disease. For this purpose, immunostimulants are used, including blood serum taken from healthy animals.

Prevention of the problem

To prevent the development of bronchopneumonia in a calf, you should resort to the following measures:

• proper nutrition, rich in vitamins;
• maintaining optimal conditions (temperature, humidity, cleaning, ventilation, disinfection, etc.);
• regular walking;
• the flooring must be wooden;
• the presence of a canopy on the walking area (so that the calves can take shelter under it from the heat and rain);
• regular examination of calves by a veterinarian;
• chest massage;
• proper care of pregnant cows.

Bronchopneumonia is a serious but treatable disease that often occurs in calves. It is important to follow preventive measures, and if signs of pathology occur, immediately call a veterinarian and, if necessary, begin adequate treatment.