Calf Pneumonia
Signs of Pneumonia
Temperature greater than 103 F
Increased respiratory rate or effort
Loss of appetite
Depression
Coughing
Nasal discharge
Treatment
Antibiotic treatment should be started immediately and continued for at least five days. It is also important to give the antibiotic at the proper dose, by the proper route, and at the proper frequency of administration. Several kinds of antibiotics may be effective in treating pneumonia. Please call your veterinarian to discuss the best choice of antibiotic.
Calves with temperatures greater than 105 F should be given one or more doses of flunixin meglumine, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly called “Banamine”. This drug will help reduce fever for approximately 12 hours.
An intranasal vaccine called “Nasalgen” is also commonly given both to prevent and to treat pneumonia in calves.
It is important to evaluate the animal’s response to treatment by taking its temperature twice daily. If the temperature has not dropped below 103 F after 24 hours of treatment you may need to switch to a different antibiotic. Please call your veterinarian for further advice.
Temperature greater than 103 F
Increased respiratory rate or effort
Loss of appetite
Depression
Coughing
Nasal discharge
Treatment
Antibiotic treatment should be started immediately and continued for at least five days. It is also important to give the antibiotic at the proper dose, by the proper route, and at the proper frequency of administration. Several kinds of antibiotics may be effective in treating pneumonia. Please call your veterinarian to discuss the best choice of antibiotic.
Calves with temperatures greater than 105 F should be given one or more doses of flunixin meglumine, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly called “Banamine”. This drug will help reduce fever for approximately 12 hours.
An intranasal vaccine called “Nasalgen” is also commonly given both to prevent and to treat pneumonia in calves.
It is important to evaluate the animal’s response to treatment by taking its temperature twice daily. If the temperature has not dropped below 103 F after 24 hours of treatment you may need to switch to a different antibiotic. Please call your veterinarian for further advice.
