SoliPulmo

Respiratory diseases affect young animals, but their consequences extend into adulthood and are a dominant pathological and, therefore, economic concern in ruminants.

Cattle have significant respiratory fragility due to their anatomical conformity and limited lung capacity: short nasal turbinates, small and narrow trachea, and poorly vascularized and undersized lungs relative to their weight.

Before one year of age, these morphological predispositions are a real handicap, leading to unfavorable ventilatory capacities. Calves also experience a period of reduced immune protection during the transition between maternal defenses and their own defenses. To compensate for these sensitive points, the air breathed must be as clean and healthy as possible: dust-free, low in water vapor and gases, and with a low microbial load.

The responsible agents are well known, but they interact with each other.

In calves or young cattle, the most common pathogens include:

·         Bacteria: Pasteurella (Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia hemolytica) and Mycoplasma (Mycoplasma bovis)

·         Viruses: RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), PI3 (Parainfluenza 3), adenovirus, BVD, and IBR

·         Parasites: dictyocaulus (verminous bronchitis)

Taking the temperature is essential: either of the sick animal or by sampling several individuals if a batch is affected. Fever is always present during respiratory diseases. Rectal temperature rises above 40°C in the first two days.

The clinical phase then progresses through several stages; ranging from coughing, sneezing, clear nasal discharge, then mucopurulent discharge. The animal stops eating. It is listless, prostrate, short of breath, and breathes with increasing difficulty. The lung lesions are then significant and irreversible.

The basics of health prevention consist of: 

• ·         Separating calves from mothers and adults in dairy farming
• ·         Grouping calves by age and weight categories
• ·         Respecting the quarantine period when introducing new animals
• ·         Providing sufficient living space with adequate air renewal, clean and dry bedding, and sufficient lighting
• ·         Insulating buildings to prevent day/night temperature variations and combat extreme heat.
• ·         Ensuring adequate quantity and quality of feed for mothers and paying attention to dietary transition during weaning

Managing risk factors and implementing preventive measures are key elements to limit the occurrence of respiratory diseases. SOLIPULMO addresses this concern.