Non-inferiority trial in veal calves on the efficacy of oxytetracycline and florfenicol treatment for pneumonia guided by quick thoracic ultrasound.

Purchase dependent calf rearing systems, such as the white veal industry, systematically rely on antimicrobial mass medication (metaphylaxis) to counter respiratory tract infections. Despite mounting criticism, the industry fears that without metaphylaxis, mortality would drastically increase. This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy of a quick thoracic ultrasonography (qTUS) individualized treatment length between oxytetracycline (OTC) and florfenicol (FF).

Associations between lung consolidation and serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, and the potential of acute phase proteins to differentiate primary respiratory tract pathogens in calves.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains a leading cause of economic losses, hampered animal welfare, and antimicrobial use. The use of acute phase proteins (APP), such as serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp), has been explored for the detection of BRD, as defined by clinical signs. However, whether these APP are also associated with lung consolidation, as determined by thoracic ultrasonography, and have the potential to differentiate causative pathogens, is unknown.

Accuracy and inter-rater agreement among practitioners using quick thoracic ultrasonography to diagnose calf pneumonia.

Background: Thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) is a commonly used tool for on-farm detection of pneumonia in calves. Different scanning methods have been described, but the performance of novice practitioners after training has not been documented.

Methods: In this study, 38 practitioners performed quick TUS (qTUS) on 18-23 calves each.

Associations of serostatus upon arrival with clinical respiratory disease, lung consolidation, and growth in veal calves.

Respiratory tract infections remain a major problem during calf rearing, especially among milk (formula)-fed veal. Preconditioning of calves through appropriate colostrum management and vaccination could be helpful to address this issue. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the presence of serum antibodies against major respiratory tract pathogens (bovine respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza 3 virus, bovine coronavirus, Mycoplasmopsis bovis, Histophilus somni, Pasteurella multocida, and Mannheimia haemolytica) and total serum IgG concentration in calves upon arrival at the veal facility were associated with the occurrence of clinical bovine respiratory disease (BRD) or lung consolidation in the first 3 wk, as assessed by both the Wisconsin BRD scorecard (based on 5 clinical signs: cough, rectal temperature, ear position, and nasal and ocular discharge) and by quick thoracic ultrasound scanning.

Effect of on-arrival bovine respiratory disease vaccination on ultrasound-confirmed pneumonia and production parameters in male dairy calves: A randomized clinical trial.

The high degree of commingling and accumulation of stressors during and after transport makes prevention of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) extremely challenging in the veal and dairy beef industry. Upon arrival, vaccination for agents involved in BRD is practically most achievable, but its efficacy under such conditions in dairy veal calves is unknown. Given the high prevalence of subclinical pneumonia in these settings, the primary objective of the present study was to determine the effect of 2 vaccination protocols administered upon arrival against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine parainfluenza type 3 virus (BPI-3), and Mannheimia haemolytica on clinical BRD and lung ultrasonographic findings in dairy veal calves.

Sepsis and survival in critically ill calves: Risk factors and antimicrobial use.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening disease for which critically important antimicrobials (CIA) frequently are used. Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for sepsis and critically ill calves are largely lacking.

Objectives: Identify factors associated with mortality in critically ill calves and describe bacteria obtained from blood cultures of critically ill calves with sepsis and their antimicrobial resistance.

Dynamics of subclinical pneumonia in male dairy calves in relation to antimicrobial therapy and production outcomes.

Quick thoracic ultrasonography (qTUS) is increasingly used as an on-farm method to diagnose clinical and subclinical pneumonia in dairy calves. The primary objective of this prospective cohort study was to describe dynamics of lung consolidation in a purchase-dependent production system for male dairy calves in relation to antimicrobial therapy and respiratory diagnostics. In addition, we studied the association of cured and uncured pneumonia with average daily gain (ADG) and cold carcass weight (CCW).

Cross-sectional study of primary antimicrobial treatment and vaccination coverage in outbreaks of bovine respiratory disease on dairy and beef farms in northern Belgium.

Background: To what extent veterinarians active in the dairy or beef sector follow the antimicrobial therapy guidelines made available in different European countries for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) outbreaks, and whether differences in therapeutic or preventive preferences for BRD management exist, is currently unknown. Therefore, the objectives of this cross-sectional study were to compare vaccination coverage and primary antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatment on dairy, beef and mixed-breed farms in northern Belgium, and determine their compliance with the recommendations made by the Belgian formulary.

Methods: Information on antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug use and vaccination coverage from 190 BRD outbreaks in 180 herds, submitted by 101 veterinarians, was analysed.

Treatment protocols and management of retained fetal membranes in cattle by rural practitioners in Belgium.

Retained fetal membranes (RFM) is a frequent postpartum disorder in cattle causing considerable economic losses, and a common indication for antibiotic (AB) administration. There is controversy with regard to the treatment of RFM, and scientific recommendations are often in conflict with current legislation on AB use and practical routines in the field. The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic approaches of RFM by Belgian rural veterinarians.