Whilst winter housing still feels a long way off, it pays to be prepared when it comes to the prevention of calf pneumonia. As discussed at our recent pub evening, there are many areas to look at when striving to drive down the incidence of calf pneumonia on farm. These include things such as improving ventilation, drainage, nutrition, calf comfort and ensuring a suitable vaccination protocol is in place, ahead of any risk period. Don’t leave it until the calves start coughing, give us a call now to discuss the newly available vaccines that cover 3 of the most significant pathogens present in pneumonia outbreaks.
Below is a short summary of what we learnt!
Understanding Calf Pneumonia: Prevention Starts Early
Calf pneumonia (bovine respiratory disease) is one of the most common and costly health challenges in young cattle. It affects growth, welfare, and long-term productivity—making early recognition and prevention critical.
What Causes It?
Pneumonia is often caused by a mix of viruses (like BRSV, IBR, PI3) and bacteria (such as Pasteurella and Mycoplasma). Stress from weaning, transport, overcrowding, or poor ventilation can trigger an outbreak, even in otherwise healthy calves.
Signs to Watch For:
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Rapid or laboured breathing
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Coughing or nasal discharge
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Droopy ears, dullness, or poor appetite
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Fever (>39.5°C or 103.1°F)
Prevention Tips:
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Ensure calves receive good-quality colostrum within the first 2 hours of life
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Provide clean, dry, well-ventilated housing with minimal drafts
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Reduce stress during weaning and transport
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Vaccinate against key respiratory pathogens
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Monitor daily and act quickly on early signs
Treat Promptly
If you suspect pneumonia, early veterinary treatment is crucial. Delayed response can lead to lung damage, poor growth, or even death.
Healthy calves grow into productive cattle—prevention pays!
