Pneumonia associated with five respiratory pathogens in a group of steers
Otter, A.; Farrer, M.E.
Veterinary Record 140(7): 187-188
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 9055401 Document Number: 483864
Following the sudden death of one of a group of 36 housed, mixed breed steers (12-15 months old) in December 1996, pneumonia with proliferative viral-type lesions and secondary exudative bacterial bronchopneumonia were diagnosed. Fluorescent antibody labelling of tracheobronchial epithelial cells and lung samples confirmed infection by parainfluenza 3 virus and cultures identified Pasteurella haemolytica type A, P. multocida, Haemophilus somnus and Mycoplasma bovis. A further 6 animals in the group appeared dull and were examined. They had temperatures between 40.5 and 41.1 degrees C and although gut stasis was evident on auscultation, none had signs of respiratory disease. They gradually improved following antibiotic and antiinflammatory treatment. Two further animals had severe respiratory signs about a week later; both recovered after drug therapy. The authors recommend that peracute pneumonia should be considered as a possible cause of sudden death in animals.