Livestock Studies 2018, Vol 58, Num, 3     (Pages: 035-040)

Respiratory Disease of Calves

Vehbi Güneş 1

1 Erciyes Üniversitesi, Veteriner Fakültesi, İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Kayseri - The respiratory system diseases of calves are important causes of calves losses, especially after the period of weaning. The most common respiratory system diseases in the newborn calves; postnatal hypoxia-hypercapnia pulmonary hypertension, aspiration pneumonia, bacterial and viral pneumonia. Respiratory problems are a complex disease, mostly viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases. It has often been demonstrated that stress, primary viral infection, inhalation of high dust and/or toxin levels in the environment is effective in the onset of the disease. It is often difficult to diagnose the disease early due to nonsignificant symptoms at the beginning of disease. It is more important for breeding and causes severe economic loss due to loss of condition after infection, growth regression, pneumonia and secondary infections. Bacterial agents leading to the disease; Pasteurella haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Pneumococ, Streptococ, Haemophilus somnus, Mycoplasma, Clamydia, Corynebacterium. Viral agents; Parainfluenza 3 virus, Respiratory Syncytial virus, IBR (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis) virus, BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhea) virus, Adenoviruses, Herpesviruses, Enteroviruses, Parvoviruses, Reoviruses, Rhinoviruses. Among the parasitic causes are Dictyocaulus species. Clinical symptoms are depression, anorexia, dull eyes, fever, head drop, weakness, nasal discharge, diarrhea, rapid and superficial respiration, cough and sudden death in calves. Antibiotics, Antiinflammatory drugs, expectant and mucolitics can be used for treatment. Shortly after birth, providing adequate colostrum, arranging environmental and housing conditions and vaccinations are effective measures for protection. Keywords : Calf, disease, respiratory system