Respiratory disease, or pneumonia, often presents with a high fever (104° to 106°F), rapid respiration rate, coughing, and possibly nasal discharge. Observed nasal discharge may range from watery to purulent and may be visible at one or both nostrils. Changes in sounds associated with air movements within the trachea and lungs can be heard by the use of a stethoscope, though these auditory changes can be very subtle and difficult to interpret without proper training. This diagnostic process may be best left to your veterinarian or used with proper veterinary guidance.

Clinical researchers at the University of Wisconsin have validated a simple method of evaluating respiratory disease in calves using a scoring system. Body temperature, nasal discharge, eyes and ears, and ability to elicit a cough are the four areas evaluated. A score of 0 to 4 is assigned to each area based on defined criteria. A calf with a total score of 4 or less should be monitored for potential problems, whereas an animal with a score of 5 or more requires appropriate treatment.

The scoring system can be found at: http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/dms/fapm/fapmtools/8calf/calf_respiratory_scoring_chart.pdf.

Robert Van Saun, Extension Veterinarian, Penn State University

In addition to monitoring and diagnosing calves carefully, it is important to manage a calf with pneumonia appropriately to minimize short- and long-term impacts on the calf's health. Poor environmental conditions, inadequate nutrition, and other factors that might put the calf at risk of pneumonia must be addressed. Antibiotic therapy should be carefully chosen and appropriately administered to maximize the probability of success. Consult a veterinarian if you are not comfortable making this decision or if you want to use antibiotics that are not labeled for treatment of pneumonia in calves. If some improvement in the calf's health is not noticed within a few days, consult a veterinarian.

Ernest Hovingh, Extension Veterinarian, Penn State University