Patterson, C. M.

English

Texas A&M University

L-140
PRIMARY PNEUMONIA OF CATTLE
by
Dr. C. M. Patterson, Extension Veterinarian
TEXAS A. AND M. COLLEGE SYSTEM
Pneumonia in cattle falls into two
classes; primary pneumonia which is not asso-
ciateo with or brought on by other disease or
infection, and secondary pneumonia which is
the result of infection or lowered resistance
caused by some other condition. It is impor-
tant to determine which type is being dealt
with before trying to combat the condition.
Although primary pneumonia in cattle has
a variety of names such as stockyards pneumo-
nia, shipping fever or hemorrhagic septicemia
it follows a rather definite pattern in both
symptoms and treatment.
Pneumonia is any inflammation of the
lower respiratory tract, which includes the
lungs and bronchi (collection tubes which
carry air from the trachea to the various
sections of the lungs). Inflammation may be
produced by chilling, dust, foreign material,
or by the active bacteria. However, in most
cases, bacteria produce no harmful effects
until resistance has been lowered by some
other agent.
CAUSES
1. Chilling. Chilling probably is re-
sponsible for the majorityofpneumonia cases.
Exposure to cold winds and rain while being
hauled, exposure to severe weather in pasture
or feed pens, and sudden chilling when hot
often encourage this disease. This is espe-
cially true with pastured animals that are on
a diet d~ficient in vitamin A or are in poor
general condi tion. Fat animal s are especi ally
suscepti bl e to thi s di sease when heavi I y exer-
cised and then cooled quickly as in hauling,
dipping, or spraying.
2. Dus t. Al though thi s se I dom is re-
sponsible for the more severe forms of the
disease, it is importaI1t to consider in that
animals suffering from 'dust pneumonia' lose
weight and are extremely susceptible to a more
severe type. Cattle worked in dusty lots,
driven over dusty ground, grazing on grass
covered with dust, or given feed with a high
dust content are liable to contract this type
of pneumonia.
3. Foreign body material. Any foreign
material that gains entrance to the lungs sets
up an inflammation followeo by infection.
This usually occurs when an animal is improp-
erly drenched and some of the fluid enters
the trachea instead of the gullet. This type
of pneumonia frequently follows such diseases
as milk fever in which the animal is in a
state of coma. Regurgitated material from
the stomach may be aspi rated into the windpipe
in such cases.
Another common type of pneu~onia caused
by foreign material is brought about by the
penetration of wire or nails from the stomach
into the lung cavity.
4. Rac ter ia. Al though pr imary bacterial
pneumonia is relatively infrequent, it may be
brought on by chilling. A group of animals
suffering from pneumonia may transmit the
condition to apparently healthy animal~ when
kept in direct contact with them. This is
seen most commonly in animals that have con-
tracted the disease during hauling or while'
being kept in public stockyards.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of all types of pneumonia
are similar and vary mostly in severity. The
onset is usually abrupt following hauling,
severe weather, or exposure to affected ani-
mals. Most cases occur during the cool sea-
sons. The first symptoms noticed probably
will be high fever, depression, loss of appe-
tite, and decreased milk flow. Breathing is
labored and often accompanied by grunting.
Open-mouth breathing, with extension of the
tongue, retraction of the lips, and frothing
indicates grave involvement of the lungs. A
mucous or purulent discharge from the nose is
common. Coughing is invariably associated
with this condition.
PREVENTION
Vaccination 0 f animal s to be shipped wi th
a 'shipping fever' bacterin two weeks prior
to shipment is of value in cutting down losses
from pneumonia. If it is impossible to treat
animals two weeks in advance of shipment,
serum should be used instead of bacterin.
Your local veterinarian will be able to help
select the proper agent to use in any partic-
ular circumstance or location.
Cattle in transit should be unloaded,
fed, and rested at least once in every twenty-
four-hour period. Cattle being transported
in inclement weather should be provided with
a wind break and should be rested and fed at
least every twel~e hours. When the animals
reach their destination, they should be fed
liberally on grass hay, then watered, and
pI aced in a shel tered pI ace for a twenty- four-
hour rest period. Any animal showing symptoms
of pneumonia should be isolated and treated
immediately.
In pas tured animal s, incidence 0 f pneumo-
nia can be held to a minimum by providing
shelter in severe weather, feeding a vitamin
A supplement during the winter when there is
no gre~n grazing, and by maintaining the cattle
in good general condition. Cattle should be
kept out of dusty lots and feed pens as much
as possible.
CARE OF AFFECTED ANIMALS
The first consideration is to find a dry
place free from drafts fOt the sick animal,
as the essentia' requirements for general
treatment are dryness, medium temperature
(60-65 degrees), absolute rest and nourishing
food. Drinking should be encouraged by offer-
ing fresh water often. The bowels should be
kept open with laxative foods or mild laxa-
tives such as mineral oil.
Specific treatment should be entrus ed
to a veterinarian as many factors must be
considered in selecting the proper treatment
for any type of pneumonia.
Issued by
The Agricultural Extension Service
The Texas A. & M. College System and
The United States Department of Agricultur~
G. G. Gibson, Director, College Station, Texas.
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, The Texas A. and M. College System and the
United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress
of May 8 and June 30, ~914.


Primary Pneumonia of Cattle.

https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/1969.1/160969/2/140/Leaf0140.PDF

Primary Pneumonia of Cattle.

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Texas A&M University