Bovine respiratory disease is an infectious disease that affects calves.It can affect calves after a stress event.Your vet can help you fight the infection with antibiotics and proper care.If you suspect that one of your calves has the disease, contact your vet immediately.With quick intervention, your calf should recover.
Step 1: If you notice BRD symptoms, contact your doctor.
Saving a calf with BRD is dependent on a correct diagnosis and early intervention.If you notice symptoms, contact your vet as soon as possible.Follow your vet's instructions for treating the disease.Reduced appetite, coughing, straining to breathe are some of the symptoms of BRD.The calf will be examined by your vet.The vet may be able to come to your property for the inspection if you bring it to the vet's office.The correct treatment requires a vet's supervision, so don't provide any medications or treatment options without consulting your vet first.
Step 2: The vet tells you to give the calf antibiotic injections.
The main treatment for BRD is a round of antibiotics.Every day you will have to inject the calf with a medication.The vet has instructions on how to administer the medication.The course should be finished to kill the infection.Adspec is one of the most common antibiotics for treating BRD.It depends on your doctor's prescription.If you can't do it yourself, the vet can.Improper vaccinations can hurt the calf more.It's important to finish the entire course of antibiotics to prevent the growth of antibiotic-resistantbacteria.Don't end the treatment early.
Step 3: Administer pain killers to fight lung inflammation.
Some of the symptoms can be alleviated by using drugs that fight the infection.They can help your calf breathe better.Your vet will usually tell you to administer these drugs in injection form.Follow all the instructions your vet gives you for the drug you're using.Banamine is a common NSAID for cattle, but there are other products your vet may recommend.These drugs should not be used in place of antibiotics.Some of the symptoms will not fight the infection.
Step 4: If your vet thinks the disease will spread, Medicate your entire herd.
If your vet thinks the herd is at risk from BRD, they can order a mass medication.The whole herd will be given a dose of antibiotics to fight the disease.Follow the vet's instructions for the vaccine.Mass medication is legal despite the risk of antibiotic resistant drugs.It's possible that your vet will have to file a legal request for the treatment.If multiple calves in the same herd are diagnosed with the disease, mass medication can only be approved.
Step 5: Your calf should be given warm water and electrolytes every day.
The calf should be given 1 US gal of warm water mixed with electrolytes every day.BRD can leave your calf weak and dehydrated, so replace those lost vitamins to keep it strong.Take 1 US gal of water for each 100 lbs of your calf's body weight and mix it with electrolyte gel.The calf should be allowed to drink this mixture every day.Farm supply stores sell oral electrolytes.The instructions for mixing it should be followed.The brand and strength can affect the amount.Provide the calf with 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water and electrolytes if it's over 100 lbs.
Step 6: Hay and grains should be fed to the calf.
The best feed for the calf is the one you have.Make sure the feed is dry.If the calf is sick, you may want to buy a slightly more expensive brand to give it a treat.If the calf has a depressed appetite, grass might be more appealing.Unless your vet tells you to do something different, stick with the normal feeding schedule.
Step 7: Stimulate the calf's appetite with vitamins.
A depressed appetite can leave a sick calf starving.To give it more vitamins and boost its appetite, mix the indicated amount of vitamins into its daily food.Farm supply stores have both products.If you aren't sure which product to get, ask your vet.Dosing instructions on the product can be followed or administered by your vet.If the calf won't eat its food, you can give it something to help it digest it.It's important to use a mixture with livebacteria and a single strand.These are the most effective.
Step 8: The calf should be warm and dry.
Make sure your calf's housing and hide are dry to prevent the disease from getting worse, as BRDbacteria thrives in damp conditions.The living area of the calf needs to stay warm.The calf's living area should be made warmer by closing all the windows and covering the floor with straw.If the calf gets wet, dry it off with a towel.If you let it stay wet, it may get too cold.
Step 9: The calf should be given fresh air and sunlight.
If the weather is good, outdoor conditions are better for a sick calf.The calf can get fresh air and sunlight.These help keep the calf dry.If the weather is cold or rainy, keep the calf inside.The calf should be kept away from puddles and mud.If the calf steps in them it will get wet and cold.