Respiratory Disease of the Bovine Neonate

Respiratory disease is an important problem in bovine neonates. Early detection of clinical disease is challenging. In the newborn calf, mucous membrane color, character and frequency of the respiratory effort, thoracic auscultation, and ability to oxygenate are critical elements of the examination to determine whether or not respiratory disease is present. Within a few days of birth, screening calves for fever, abnormal nasal or ocular discharge, or an inducible cough finds many calves with early respiratory disease. This article describes respiratory conditions in newborn calves that veterinarians are most likely to encounter, along with diagnostic and treatment options that can be applied to both herd investigations and individual animals.