Bronchopneumonia with interstitial pneumonia in beef feedlot cattle: Characterization and laboratory investigation

Bronchopneumonia with interstitial pneumonia (BIP) has been considered a variant of acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) rather than a distinct disease. This study compared 18 BIP, 24 bronchopneumonia (BP), and 13 AIP cases in feedlot beef cattle. Grossly, BIP cases typically had cranioventral lung lesions of similar morphology and extent as BP cases, but the caudodorsal lung appeared overinflated, bulged on section, and had interlobular edema and emphysema. Gross diagnosis of BIP had 83% sensitivity and 73% specificity relative to histopathology. Histologic lesions of BIP in cranioventral areas were of chronic BP, while caudodorsal lesions included alveolar and bronchiolar damage and inflammation, interstitial hypercellularity, and multifocal hemorrhages. In BIP cases, cranioventral lung lesions were more chronic than caudodorsal lesions. Histologic scores and microbiology data were comparable in cranioventral lung of BIP versus BP cases and caudodorsal lung of BIP versus AIP cases, with differences reflecting a more chronic disease involving less virulent bacteria in BIP versus BP. Mycoplasma bovis infection was similarly frequent among groups, and a viral cause of BIP was not identified. Lesion morphology and similar blood cytokine concentrations among groups argued against sepsis as a cause of lung injury. Surfactant dysfunction was identified in BIP and BP, and was only partially the result of protein exudation. These and other findings establish BIP as a distinct condition in which chronic cranioventral BP precedes acute caudodorsal interstitial lung disease, supporting a role of chronic inflammation in heightened sensitivity to 3-methylindole or another lung toxicant.

Bronchopneumonia with interstitial pneumonia in feedlot cattle: Epidemiologic characteristics of affected animals

Bronchopneumonia with interstitial pneumonia (BIP) of feedlot cattle is characterized by gross and histologic lesions of cranioventral bronchopneumonia (BP) and caudodorsal interstitial pneumonia. This study described the characteristics and frequency of BIP in western Canadian feedlot cattle and identified epidemiologic differences between BIP and either BP or acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP). The study of 9909 deaths on 4 western Canadian feedlots included 1105 BIP, 1729 BP, and 878 AIP cases. A population of 55 cases with gross, histopathology, and microbiology data was used to validate the primary data set. BIP was the second most common reason for death (or euthanasia) from respiratory disease (1105/9909 cases), and the observed frequency was twice what was expected from random concurrence of BP and AIP. Based on logistic regression models, epidemiologic characteristics of BIP were comparable to those of BP, although BIP cases were more chronic with more instances of clinical illness prior to death. BIP was epidemiologically distinct from AIP. Specifically, BIP more frequently affected steers than heifers, deaths occurred earlier in the feeding period at lower body weights and lower daily weight gains, and BIP cases had longer durations from the first clinical illness to death and more separate instances of clinical illness prior to death. Furthermore, death from BIP mainly occurred in winter and fall, while death from AIP was most frequent in summer. These findings define BIP as a unique condition of feedlot cattle and suggest that chronic BP may promote the development of fatal interstitial lung disease in at-risk cattle.

Evaluation of the diagnostic and prognostic utility of ultrasonography at first diagnosis of presumptive bovine respiratory disease

This project investigated the use of ultrasonography at first diagnosis of presumptive early bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in feedlot cattle from western Canada. One hundred seventy-four cattle (116 cases and 58 controls) at high risk of developing BRD were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal study over 2 y (2006-2007). Cattle with clinical signs relating to the respiratory system and assessed as sick at the time of feedlot arrival (arrival fever cases) or assessed as sick in the pen 3 to 30 d post-arrival (post-arrival fever cases, post-arrival no fevers cases) were eligible for enrollment. Control animals were identified at the time of case enrollments. Ultrasonography was done using a 3.5 sector transducer at enrollment and at 2, 4, and 6 wk post-enrollment. Lung lesions were identified at least 1 time over the course of the trial in 32/116 (28%) cases and 9/58 (16%) controls. At enrollment, lung lesions were identified in 20/115 (17%) cases and 2/55 (4%) controls (data unreadable n = 4). Post-arrival fever cases (14/48) were the most likely to have a lesion identified using ultrasound. In arrival fever cases, average daily gain (enrollment to last ultrasound, average 34 d) was improved (P = 0.007) in cattle identified with a lesion at enrollment using ultrasound compared with those not identified with a lesion at that time, potentially demonstrating the effects of gut fill at arrival weighing, as these sicker animals may have eaten less prior to arrival and, therefore, had more room for improvement in weight over time due to restoration of normal gut fill. None of the ultrasound time points explored (enrollment, 2, 4, or 6 wk post-enrollment) were associated with the animal health outcomes of interest (subsequent treatment, chronicity, wastage, or mortality) for cattle enrolled at arrival or post-arrival.Ultrasonography using a 3.5 sector transducer was not particularly effective as a prognostic/diagnostic tool for early detection of BRD, but may be useful in targeted populations of animals with respiratory disease of longer duration (such as chronic pens).

What is your diagnosis? Perifemoral mass in a cow

A 15-year-old female Simmental cross-breed cow was presented to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of a perifemoral soft tissue mass. Impression smears made from an excisional biopsy contained a population of pleomorphic mesenchymal cells with abundant, periodic acid-Schiff-positive (PAS), intracytoplasmic granular material, and rare elongated multinucleated cells consistent with strap-like cells. A second population of small round cells suggestive of lymphocytes or progenitor cells was also noted. A cytologic diagnosis of sarcoma was made, with rhabdomyosarcoma considered most likely based on the large amount of PAS-positive material (presumed to be glycogen) and the rare strap-like cells. Histopathologic sections contained an unencapsulated, densely cellular neoplasm composed of haphazardly arranged highly pleomorphic mesenchymal cells and a few small round cells. The mesenchymal cells were positive for vimentin, non-specific muscle actin, and myoglobin, and negative for phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin, smooth muscle actin, and desmin. Glycogen granules were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. A diagnosis of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma was made. While cytologic findings may suggest rhabdomyosarcoma, cytologic features can be highly variable, and a definitive diagnosis usually requires cytochemical and immunohistochemical staining.

Efficacy of a florfenicol-flunixin meglumine combination product versus tulathromycin or ceftiofur crystalline free acid for the treatment of undifferentiated fever in feedlot calves

In this field trial, a new combination product containing florfenicol and flunixin meglumine (FLOR-FM) was compared with commercially available products that contained only tulathromycin (TULA) or ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA) for the treatment of undifferentiated fever (UF; rectal temperature >/=105.0 degrees F) in beef calves that received long-acting oxytetracycline at feedlot arrival. The overall mortality rate of the FLOR FM group (2.0%) was significantly (P less than .050) lower than the rates in the TULA and CCFA groups (10.0% and 20.0%, respectively; 50 animals/group), even though the first UF relapse rate of the FLOR FM group was significantly (P less than .050) higher than that of the TULA group. In the FLOR FM group, this resulted in per-animal economic advantages of Can$46.23 (versus TULA) and Can$108.77 (versus CCFA) based on equal costs for initial UF therapy. These results demonstrate that it is more cost-effective to administer FLOR FM than TULA or CCFA for initial UF therapy in feedlot calves at high risk for bovine respiratory disease that receive metaphylactic long-acting oxytetracycline at feedlot arrival.

A comparison of 2 vaccination programs in feedlot calves at ultra-high risk of developing undifferentiated fever/bovine respiratory disease

The aim of this study was to compare 2 vaccination programs in feedlot calves at ultra-high risk of developing undifferentiated fever (UF)/bovine respiratory disease (BRD). At feedlot arrival, 3882 calves were enrolled in the study and randomly allocated to 2 groups, which were housed by group in 12 pens. At the time of allocation, 1 group (MLV3-BT2) received a multivalent, modified-live viral vaccine containing infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) and types I and II bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), as well as a Mannheimia haemolytica (MH) and Pasteurella multocida bacterin-toxoid. The other group (MLV4-BT1) received a vaccine containing IIBRV, type I BVDV, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza-3 virus, as well as a MH bacterin-toxoid. At an average of 69 days post arrival, the groups received their respective viral vaccines. The initial UF treatment, overall chronicity, overall wastage, overall mortality, and BRD mortality rates were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the MLV3-BT2 group than in the MLV4-BT1 group. Average daily gain and the proportions of yield grade Canada 3 and quality grade E carcasses were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the MLV3-BT2 group than in the MLV4-BT1 group. No significant (P > or = 0.05) difference in the dry matter intake to gain ratio was detected between the 2 groups. In economic terms, there was a net advantage of $20.86 CDN/animal in the MLV3-BT2 group. This study demonstrates that it is more cost effective to use an MLV3-BT2 vaccination program than a MLV4-BT1 vaccination program in feedlot calves at ultra-high risk of developing UF/BRD.

Microbiological and histopathological findings in cases of fatal bovine respiratory disease of feedlot cattle in Western Canada

The aim of this study was to describe the microbiologic agents and pathologic processes in fatal bovine respiratory disease (BRD) of feedlot cattle and to investigate associations between agents and pathologic processes. Ninety feedlot calves diagnosed at necropsy with BRD and 9 control calves without BRD were examined, using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and histopathologic studies. Mannheimia haemolytica (MH) (peracute, acute, and subacute cases) and Mycoplasma bovis (MB) (subacute, bronchiolar, and chronic cases) were the most common agents identified in fatal BRD cases. Significant associations (P < 0.10) were detected between microbiologic agents and between agents and pathologic processes. When IHC staining was used, 25/26 (96%) of animals that were positive for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) were also positive for MH; 12/15 (80 %) of animals that were positive for Histophilus somni (HS) were also positive for MB; and all of the animals that were positive for HS were negative for MH and BVDV. This quantitative pathological study demonstrates that several etiologic agents and pathologic processes are involved in fatal BRD of feedlot cattle.

Evaluation of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of melengestrol acetate in feedlot heifer calves in western Canada

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative efficacy and cost-effectiveness of feeding melengestrol acetate (MGA) to feedlot heifer calves in western Canada. Heifers fed MGA had significantly (P less than .05) improved average daily gain, feed conversion, and carcass quality grade and lower rates of initial undifferentiated fever treatment and bovine respiratory disease mortality. However, heifers fed MGA had less desirable (P less than .05) carcass yield grade. There was a net economic advantage of Can $11.31/animal in favor of heifers fed MGA. Based on these results, it is efficacious and cost-effective to feed MGA to heifer calves raised in standard large-pen commercial feedlots in western Canada.

A comparison of florfenicol and tulathromycine for the treatment of undifferentiated fever in feedlot calves

The purpose of this study was to compare the relative cost-effectiveness of florfenicol with that of tulathromycin for treatment of undifferentiated fever (UF) in feedlot calves at ultra-high risk of developing UF that receive metaphylactic tulathromycin on arrival at the feedlot. Calves that received therapeutic florfenicol had lower overall mortality (P=.045) and bovine respiratory disease mortality (P=.050) compared with calves that received therapeutic tulathromycin, but no significant differences were detected in feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, or other animal health variables. There was a net advantage of Can$41.19/treated animal in the florfenicol group versus the tulathromycin group. This study demonstrates that it is more cost-effective to use florfenicol than tulathromycin for the initial treatment of UF in feedlot calves at ultra-high risk of developing UF that receive on-arrival metaphylactic tulathromycin.

Determination of the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in feedlot steers in Alberta

A study was conducted in Alberta to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in feedlot calves purchased from various auction markets throughout western Canada. Four feedlots (1 feedlot from each of the Airdrie and High River areas and 2 feedlots from the Strathmore area) were selected for sampling. At each feedlot, a random 10% sample of feedlot steer and bull calves entering the feedlot from September 2001 to December 2001 were enrolled in the study until there were a maximum of 500 animals enrolled per feedlot. Blood samples were collected from 1976 male animals at the time of entry to the 4 study feedlots. The animals represented 375 groups purchased from 70 sale points throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Of the 1976 animals tested, 128 animals tested positive for antibodies to N. caninum. The prevalence and adjusted 95% confidence limits for N. caninum in beef calves on entrance to the feedlot in western Canada were 6.5% (95% CI, 5.1 to 8.2). There were no significant (P > or = 0.05) associations between the risk of treatment, the risk of designation as "chronic," and the risk of death and antibodies to N. caninum either before or after adjusting for feedlot, entry weight, entry date, and clustering of disease within lots at each feedlot. In addition, there was no significant (P > or = 0.05) association between serological status and feedlot entry weight or average daily gain. Note that there was no information available on feed conversion because the calves were mixed within existing commercial feedlot pens and the actual feed intake of each animal could not be determined. Adjustment for the concentration of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus on arrival did not change any of the examined associations between N. caninum status and calf health or performance. The results of this study demonstrated that the prevalence of N. caninum in feedlot calves in western Canada was less than the prevalence reported in the United States. Additional studies are required to determine whether the inferior rate of gain and feed efficiency observed in the southern United States with animals testing positive for antibodies to N. caninum also occurs under the management conditions used in western Canada.