PNEUMONIA IN DAIRY HERDS
How bad can it be?
Charlotte Havercroft
It is fair to say that so far in 2025 we have seen our fair share of pneumonia cases out and about. Owing in part to arctic maritime airmass bringing cold temperatures to the UK as well as wintry showers, especially in northern regions. Then shortly followed by warmer air and then back to storm warnings. We have certainly had our mix of weather, myself being out on farm one morn- ing TB testing in several layers or thermals reading - 8 on the van, to then stable temps in the low positives. We know that this changeable air is tough on our livestock, at a time when most cattle are in- doors and therefore at higher risk of bacteria and viral pathogens spreading. Pneumonia is typi- cally frustrating, in some instances animals bounce back and seem to have taken no harm but we know that the damage it causes to the lungs will always remain a blight on the animals productiv- ity no matter how quickly they return to health. The direct costs of treating affected cattle include veterinary care, antibiotics, and other medications, while indirect costs stem from reduced growth rates in calves and decreased milk yields in adult cows.
Impact on Calf Growth and Development
Calves affected by pneumonia often experience stunted growth and developmental delays. Ac- cording to a study conducted by the APHA found that calves that contracted pneumonia experi- enced an average reduction in daily weight gain of 0.2 - 0.3 kg/day, compared to healthy calves. The effects on growth are particularly concern- ing as they can lead to delays in reaching market weight or optimal breeding age. Even calves that do recover from pneumonia often face long - term health challenges. They may have compromised lung capacity or re- duced resilience to future infections, which can have a lasting effect on their overall productivi- ty. Further studies have shown that calves that have suffered from pneumonia had reduced
Mortality (rate of death) following severe
pneumonia in heifers less than 3 months
of age was increased by nearly 20%
Heifer body weight was reduced by 10kg
at 3 months, and 29 kg at 14 months.
Outbreaks in heifers over 3 months were
also estimated to reduce body weight at
14 months by 30 kg
Increased age to first calving by 2 weeks
Reduction in 1st lactation yield by 4%
Reduction in 2nd lactation yield by 8%
109 less days in milk
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