Bovine respiratory disease is the most common disease complex of feedlot cattle. The peak incidence of the disease occurs within the first few weeks of arrival at the feedlot. Bovine respiratory disease is attributed to a complex interaction between bacteria, viruses, environment, stress, and managerial practices. Pasteurella hemolytica, and to a lesser extent Pasteurella multocida, are considered to be the most common bacterial isolates from cases of bovine respiratory disease. The purpose of this study was threefold: 1) compare the ability of four different sampling techniques to isolate Pasteurella spp. from the respiratory tract of calves, 2) compare the prevalence of Pasteurella spp. in the respiratory tract of sick calves and clinically normal cohorts, and 3) evaluate the feasibility and practicality of performing nonsurgical tracheal washes in a feedlot setting
