Cattle Health: BRD - Diagnosis
10/21/2009 02:08PM
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The objective for diagnosing any disease is improvement in the overall health of a herd or feeding operation. If obtaining a diagnosis will not cause a change in health management practices, then diagnostic procedures will be a waste of time and money. However, no diagnosis leaves conjecture as to the true nature of the disease condition. A veterinarian should be consulted regarding health management in specific herds.
One of the most effective tools for diagnosis of BRD is the use of a rectal thermometer. Animals suspected of having BRD should have temperatures taken and be treated based on rectal temperature.
When submitting samples to a diagnostic laboratory, a detailed case history needs to be included, such as the animal species, age, sex, number of animals in the herd, number of animals affected, and number of animals dead. The date of onset and duration of illness are also important for diagnosis. Was there any previous treatment such as vaccination, medication, or nutritional supplementation? Were there any animal movements such as additions to the herd (from outside sources) or pasture rotation?
Animals or tissues should be submitted for diagnosis as soon as possible after death. Once death occurs, tissue changes and decomposition starts, which will quickly make diagnosis difficult. This problem is exacerbated during periods of warm and hot weather.
Source: Kansas State Ag Extension