Progress in Rationalization of Antimicrobial Use for Bovine Respiratory Disease

The current context in calf health management is framed by four main factors. First, there is an ever increasing pressure on reducing antimicrobial use, in particular mass medication. Second, public concern on animal welfare continuous to rise, especially to what concerns calf mortality, undetected disease and individual housing. Third, sustainability of cattle farming, especially to what considers environmental impact, requires a minimalization of production losses for each individual. Fourth, the speed of technological development, meaning sensor technology as well as laboratory tests, in many aspects still outpaces veterinarians and other herd health advisors’ ability to correctly interpret results for an improved decision making. Bovine respiratory disease, being the leading indication for antimicrobial use in all cattle production systems worldwide, is heavily influenced by all of these four factors. In this lecture, starting from a European Union perspective, we aim to provide an updated answer on the million dollar question: Which animal, needs which antimicrobial for how long? A comparison of diagnostic accuracy of existing detection methods for bovine respiratory disease will be given. Special attention will be given to the use of quick thoracic ultrasonography (qTUS) to tailor antimicrobial therapy to the individual animal.