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Respiratory · Cattle

Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex

Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRD, Shipping fever, Pneumonic pasteurellosis) is a respiratory condition of cattle. Key signs are fever (>40 °c), depression, anorexia and cough; diagnosis rests on Clinical signs + history and Nasopharyngeal or transtracheal wash for culture and PCR. Good if treated within 24 h of onset; mortality rises with delay.

At a glance

Species
Cattle
Body system
Respiratory
Also known as
BRD, Shipping fever, Pneumonic pasteurellosis

Key clinical signs

  • Fever (>40 °C)
  • Depression, anorexia
  • Cough
  • Mucopurulent nasal discharge
  • Tachypnoea / dyspnoea
  • Auscultation: crackles, wheezes, increased lung sounds cranio-ventrally

Other signs

  • Drooped ears
  • Reduced rumination
  • Dehydration
  • Sudden death in peracute Mannheimia / Histophilus cases

Differential diagnoses

  • Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR/BHV-1)
  • Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD)
  • Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV)
  • Lungworm (Dictyocaulus viviparus)
  • Aspiration pneumonia
  • Acute interstitial pneumonia (3-methylindole)

Diagnosis

  • Clinical signs + history (recent transport, mixing, weaning)
  • Nasopharyngeal or transtracheal wash for culture and PCR (Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, Mycoplasma bovis)
  • Thoracic ultrasound (consolidation cranio-ventral lobes)
  • CBC: neutrophilia with left shift

Treatment outline

Early antibiotic therapy is critical. First-line: ceftiofur, florfenicol, oxytetracycline, tilmicosin, or enrofloxacin (label use only — extra-label fluoroquinolone use in food animals is FDA-prohibited in many jurisdictions). NSAID (flunixin or meloxicam) reduces pyrexia and inflammation. Adequate ventilation, dry bedding, and reduced stress. Metaphylaxis on arrival for high-risk cattle is widely used.

An outline, not a prescription. Check each drug’s dose for the species, the patient and the product in the drug calculator before use.

Prognosis

Good if treated within 24 h of onset; mortality rises with delay. Chronic BRD survivors may have permanent lung damage and reduced performance.

Frequently asked questions

What are the signs of bovine respiratory disease complex in cattle?

Fever (>40 °c), depression, anorexia, cough, mucopurulent nasal discharge, tachypnoea / dyspnoea and auscultation: crackles, wheezes, increased lung sounds cranio-ventrally. Less specific signs include drooped ears, reduced rumination and dehydration.

How is bovine respiratory disease complex diagnosed?

Clinical signs + history (recent transport, mixing, weaning), Nasopharyngeal or transtracheal wash for culture and PCR (Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, Mycoplasma bovis), Thoracic ultrasound (consolidation cranio-ventral lobes) and CBC: neutrophilia with left shift. Differentials to rule out include infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (ibr/bhv-1), bovine viral diarrhoea (bvd), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (brsv) and lungworm (dictyocaulus viviparus).

How is bovine respiratory disease complex treated?

Early antibiotic therapy is critical. First-line: ceftiofur, florfenicol, oxytetracycline, tilmicosin, or enrofloxacin (label use only — extra-label fluoroquinolone use in food animals is FDA-prohibited in many jurisdictions). NSAID (flunixin or meloxicam) reduces pyrexia and inflammation. Adequate ventilation, dry bedding, and reduced stress. Metaphylaxis on arrival for high-risk cattle is widely used.

What is the prognosis for bovine respiratory disease complex?

Good if treated within 24 h of onset; mortality rises with delay. Chronic BRD survivors may have permanent lung damage and reduced performance.

Sources

  • Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition

Last reviewed · VetMasterJi