How lung wash helps target treatment for pneumonia in cattle

Carrying out a lung wash to identify the cause of respiratory symptoms has enabled one beef farmer to better target antibiotics treatment, and use a specific vaccine to prevent further pneumonia outbreaks.

Ted Chapman, who runs a herd of 60 high-health commercial Limousins at Lane Head Farm in Kendal, Cumbria, had a flare-up of pneumonia in calves early last year. 

Despite having used a viral vaccine that covered bovine viral diarrhoea, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine respiratory syncytial virus and bovine parainfluenza-3 for many years, more than one-quarter of his nine-month-old calves required treatment.

“My first thought was the vaccine wasn’t doing its job,” admits Mr Chapman.

He sought the advice of vet Kirsty Ranson, of Westmorland Veterinary Group in Kendal, who suggested he took lung wash samples using the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) procedure.

See also: Q&A: Pneumonia in calves and how to combat it

Ted Chapman says the outbreak of pneumonia cost him £1,000

What is BAL?

BAL involves a small incision being made over the tracheal ring of an animal showing respiratory symptoms.

It can be done in animals as young as four to five weeks old, through to adult cattle. After a local anaesthetic, a catheter is inserted, and a tube passed down into the lungs.

The BAL test will highlight the pathogen creating the respiratory challenge

Saline solution is syringed into the lungs and sucked back out. The sample is then sent for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing at a laboratory.

Although the procedure sounds invasive, there is little impact on the animal.

PCR testing has made BALs more accessible as it means the sample can be taken at any time, whereas, previously when samples had to be cultured, they had to be sent at a particular time and kept in very strict conditions.

The results highlight what pathogen is causing the respiratory challenge.

Results of BAL testing

The cause of respiratory disease at Lane Head Farm was identified as Histophilus somni. This is a bacterial agent rather than a virus – Mr Chapman had already been vaccinating against the virus.

Using the results, Ms Ranson was able to prescribe specific antibiotics to treat the infection along with anti-inflammatories.

The herd outbreak cost Mr Chapman about £20 a head (approximately £1,000 in total) just in treatment costs.

Although there is a bacterial vaccine that covers Histophilus somni, as well as Mannheimia haemolytica, Mr Chapman opted not to vaccinate his stock at that time. This is because turnout was nearing and the stock – some of which were being sold as stores later in the summer – would not have benefited from vaccination at that point.

Vaccination procedure

In August, Mr Chapman decided to vaccinate all remaining 55 calves, using the two vaccines to cover bacterial and viral pneumonia at a cost of about £550.

Vaccines need to be administered separately – two doses with a two-week window in-between each one. But he believes it was worth it as there were no cases of pneumonia during the winter.

“We run a closed commercial Limousin herd and firmly believe prevention is better than cure, which is why we vaccinate,” says Mr Chapman.

“The outbreak knocked growth and although they bloomed throughout the summer, we don’t want a repeat.”

Mr Chapman also believes good colostrum management and hygiene is key to helping keep pneumonia at bay.

 “We start calving in March and as soon as they are born, we make sure they are suckling and get enough colostrum. When they are housed, we also make sure they have clean bedding and we don’t try to do too much at once which can stress them.

“Although our buildings are old, we have a concrete yard which the cattle can freely access and where they feed, so they have fresh air every day which helps.”

Benefits of BAL testing

Ms Ranson says, historically, when farmers have had pneumonia in their herd, they have used a viral vaccine because this has been the only vaccine available.

However, without identifying what pathogen is causing pneumonia it is a “guessing game” and can lead to ineffective vaccines being used.

“All the symptoms look the same with the exception being IBR. By guessing what vaccine to use, means they are not always going to be effective,” she says.

“PCR testing has made things easier, as samples can be stored in the fridge and sent off when convenient. BAL is also better than blood serology as that only tests for viruses rather than bacteria.”

Ms Ranson adds: “BAL basically gives you more guidance making sure you are protecting animals from the viruses and bacteria on your farm. The vaccine you put into an animal should always pay for itself. Once a bacterium is on a farm and it is in an animal’s system, that animal is always at risk of shedding it.”  

Financial costs of BAL testing

The cost of a BAL test is about £200-£250 for two animals, which covers the vet’s time and equipment, plus a laboratory fee of £40 for a pooled sample.

A cheaper way of investigating the pneumonia-causing pathogen is by taking samples from a post-mortem.

Ms Ranson says: “A post-mortem is a good alternative in animals with lower value such as a dairy bull calf.

“However, there are too many farmers not even talking to their vets about pneumonia in the first place, let alone investigating the cause. Understanding what is on your farm allows you to protect your stock better and treat them with the correct antibiotics, if needed.”