Control / Prevention of Respiratory Disease

12.3 Control / Prevention of Respiratory Disease General Principles:

There are many causes of respiratory problems. However, a good farmer can do certain things that will prevent livestock from becoming ill with respiratory disease:

1. Protect livestock from very hot and very cold temperatures. Make the sick animal as comfortable as possible. Provide shade and extra water in hot weather, and shelter from cold and wind in cold weather. Exposure to difficult temperatures makes animals weak, and they become ill with common microorganisms that do not normally cause disease.

2. Provide fresh air, even in very cold weather. Animals should be protected from the wind, but should not be shut inside a barn with all doors and windows closed.

3. Separate sick, coughing animals from healthy animals to prevent disease spread.

3. Treat regularly for parasites. Lungworms and immature large roundworms often damage the lungs, allowing harmful microorganisms to cause a respiratory infection.

3. Keep livestock well-nourished. Animals that are already weak from malnutrition and/or parasites, are more likely to develop respiratory problems.

3. Vaccinate for diseases commonly found in the area.