Respiratory disease calves due to influenza

Influenza is a viral infection which mainly affects the airways in young bovine animals.

Definition

Influenza is a viral infection which mainly affects the airways in young bovine animals (mainly from 12 weeks old).

Cause

Influenza is caused by the BRS virus (Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus). The BRS virus belongs to the group of Paramyxoviruses.

Description

Influenza is a viral infection of young bovine animals, which usually affects the airways from the 12th week. The BRS virus plays a role in the complex of factors that causes respiratory disease at calves: see respiratory disease. The visible symptoms are not always characteristic. The calves exhibit general symptoms: drowsiness, decreased appetite, fever. Striking is shed tears, nasal discharge and cough. The lung abnormalities may vary, depending on the circumstances, of an accelerated breathing to a deadly expiring acute respiratory distress. Disease progression in pairing often takes two to three weeks, where the cough persists longer. In a number of affected calves lasting lung damage can occur. These calves don't grow anymore; they are, because of a permanent damage of the lung tissue, very stuffy.

Treatment

Specific treatment of a viral disease is not possible. For general management see respiratory disease: treatment.