Bronchopneumonia in calves

Among the total number of diseases, bronchopneumonia in animals (catarrhal bronchopneumonia) ranks second after gastrointestinal diseases: according to statistics, 20-40% of young animals fall ill with this pathology every year. The disease is general in nature, occurs against the background of decreased immunity, affects the bronchi and lungs, in which exudate accumulates, blood circulation and gas exchange are disrupted. Without treatment, irreversible processes occur in other organs and systems, especially the heart and lungs.

Most often, the disease becomes active in winter and early spring and affects young animals in the first 5-6 months of life. Bronchopneumonia is most common in calves, but piglets and lambs are also commonly affected.

Causes of bronchopneumonia in cattle and pigs

The disease is classified as polyetiological and non-infectious, but it provokes the development of harmful microflora.

• Conditions of detention . Bronchopneumonia in piglets and calves can be caused by overheating, hypothermia, drafts, high humidity and poor indoor air exchange, oversaturation of air with microbes, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide.

• Poor nutrition .  The disease occurs against the background of a lack of vitamins A, D, carotene in food, a deficiency of nutrients, vitamins, microelements, which leads to negative changes in the structure of the respiratory tract and the development of streptococci, staphylococci, etc. Bronchopneumonia in pigs is often caused by a deficiency iodine in the body.

Symptoms

• Acute bronchopneumonia of calves and piglets. Lasts 5-10 days. The animal becomes lethargic, loses appetite, breathes through its mouth, and exudate flows from the nose. Cough - from dry and sharp to wet and weak, breathing - from hard to wet, with wheezing. The temperature rises to 42 degrees. Swelling of the upper respiratory tract and hypoxia are observed.

• Subacute form of bronchopneumonia. Lasts for a month. Characterized by the development of malnutrition, loss of appetite and weight. Breathing with shortness of breath is accompanied by a wet cough. Breathing problems may be accompanied by digestive disorders and diarrhea. The bronchi contain a lot of mucus, pus and swell. An exacerbation can occur at any time.

• Chronic form. Lasts 2-3 months. The animal is noticeably retarded in development and is constantly tormented by coughing and mucous discharge from the nose. You can hear wheezing in the lungs, and the bronchi are swollen. Appetite may change dramatically.

Diagnostics

When collecting anamnesis, take into account:

• clinical picture;

• bronchopulmonary analysis;

• blood chemistry;

• general signs;

• X-ray images.

Treatment of bronchopneumonia in calves and piglets

For the treatment of catarrhal bronchopneumonia in calves, piglets and lambs, NITA-FARM offers one of its own drugs that have undergone certified clinical studies .

Nitox 200. Based on oxytetracycline magnesium complex. A unique high-quality tetracycline antibiotic. For treatment, one intramuscular injection is sufficient. The drug is effective for 72 hours and is used to treat and prevent a wide range of diseases.

Floridox. It is based on doxycycline and florfenicol . Affects most types of pathogenic microflora. For bronchopneumonia it is 97% effective. Maintains therapeutic concentration in the body for 24 hours. The course of treatment consists of intramuscular injections for 3-5 days.

Prevention

• It is necessary to monitor the hygiene of places where animals are kept.

• The temperature regime must comply with the standards.

• It is necessary to formulate a complete diet for young animals.

• An effective preventive measure is the periodic use of the drug Nitox 200.