Advancing Pneumonia Pathogen Linked to Droopy Ears in Calves

GLOBAL - Increasing reports of a pneumonia pathogen in calves either side of the Atlantic in recent years have been linked with ear infections in youngstock.
calendar icon 25 September 2015
clock icon 2 minute read

Veterinarians are warning that Mycoplamsma bovis, an insidious and costly infection, is on the increase, showing a tendency to colonise the ear canal.

This is the key finding of a pneumonia pathogen survey of over 2,500 samples, showing an increase of four per cent between 2013 and 2014.

Dr Carolyn Hogan of Zoetis UK, the organisation that conducted the tests, said the amount of calves that tested positive was “surprising”.

A known and understood cause of mastitis in the US for some years, Mycoplasma bovis has now become a key issue as part of respiratory illness in the UK cattle industry, according to Dr Tim Potter, Westpoint Veterinary Group.

Historically, the UK has not been as aware of the pathogen as dairy farmers have in the US, but the bacteria became part of respiratory issues on US farms, with this trend being mirrored in the UK more recently, he explained. 

“We see quite severe infections of the ears, resulting in droopy ears with calves,” said Dr Potter. “It can spread quite rapidly, especially in pens of calves or systems using shared milk feeders.”

With no vaccine available, antibiotic efficacy can be improved by using multiple doses or longer periods of duration, he added.

“Chronic calves can be seen walking around with tilted heads, some struggling with balance issues as well.”

Unsure why the pathogen is on the increase, prevention is key, including avoiding stressing animals, well ventilated buildings and nutrition, said Dr Hogan.

“We are trying to put the message across for farmers that keeping an animal healthy can save you money,” she said. An industry review from Zoetis shows a case of respiratory illness costs an average of £772 pounds through the life of a commercial dairy cow.

“We know there’s an awful lot of work talking about how important early growth performance and early management of the calf is,” she added. “By proactively looking after calves, we can bring savings.”

She stressed that calves can carry the bacteria without becoming infected, although stress opens up the risk of infection.

Dr Potter said: “Animals can carry Mycoplasma bovis in their nasal cavity and it won’t necessarily cause disease. It is not, however, present on every single farm.”

Photo courtesy of Virginia Cooperative Extension

Michael Priestley

Michael Priestley
News Team - Editor

Mainly production and market stories on ruminants sector. Works closely with sustainability consultants at FAI Farms

 
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