(Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis) - (IBR) Pneumonia in Dairy Cattle

Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a viral disease of cattle. It is highly infectious and can cause significant economic losses on dairy farms. IBR virus is the fourth most common respiratory pathogen, occurring in 30% of pneumonia cases. IBR is caused by Bovine Herpes Virus 1 and like all herpes viruses can result in a latent viral infection such as the common 'cold sore' which will recur throughout a person’s life. Stress can reactivate the infection in a herd and cause new infections.

Transmission of IBR virus can be directly from other animals or indirectly through farm visitors. IBR can present with the characteristic runny nose, a high fever, sudden milk drop and/or abortions. Recent research has indicated that vaccinating affected dairy cows for IBR will improve production, highlighting that latent infection impairs performance.

BOVILIS IBR and Rispoval IBR attack the IBR virus which is often found in older animals. IBR virus is the fourth most common respiratory pathogen, occurring in 30% of pneumonia cases. 

Pneumonia is a complex disease. It can be caused by viruses (RSV and PI3) and bacteria (Pasteurella) and husbandry factors can contribute. Farm husbandry can contribute to the spread of pneumonia. This has made it difficult to devise a vaccination regime at reasonable cost.

BOVIPAST RSP, a vaccine which protects animals against the most widespread respiratory pathogens: RSV, PI3 and Pasteurella haemolytica (bacterial infection usually represents the greatest threat to calves).

Rispoval 3 covers RSV, PI3, Pasteurella and BVD.

During an outbreak of pneumonia, BOVILIS IBR and Rispoval IBR can be given by intranasal administration giving protection within 48 hours. It can also be given by intramuscular injection but this has a 7 day onset of action. This can be ideal for a disease which is frequently a whole herd problem.

To vaccinate in an effort to prevent an outbreak an inactivated IBR Marker vaccine such as Rispoval IBR Marker inactive or Bovilis IBR Marker inactive (see table)

Vaccine	Manufacturer	Shots	Effective against	Vaccine	Route	Course	Onset	Face
	classification	/course	IBR	type	of admin		of cover	of infection
Bovilis			a
IBR marker inactive	Intervet     POM(E)*	one		Killed	i/m	2x2 ml 4 week intervals	3 weeks	Healthy only
Bovilis	Intervet		a		intranasal	2 weeks old	4 days
IBR marker live		two		Live	i/m	revac at 3 months,1 shot	14 days	Yes
	POM(E)					pre 3months & 1 after
Rispoval	Pfizer	two	a	Killed	subcut	2 x 2ml 3-5 weeks apart		Healthy only
IBR marker inactive	POM(E)
Rispoval	Pfizer	two	a	Live	intranasal	2 weeks old	2-4 days	Yes
IBR Marker live	POM(E)				i/m	2x2ml 3-5 weeks apart

* POM(E) Can be supplied by a pharmacist from a pharmacy(no prescription), by a vet for animals under his care but not by a licensed merchant responsible person.

Preparation of calves should also include a worming programme at 3, 8 and 13 weeks after turnout.  While early antibiotic treatment can be very effective in reducing losses caused by the disease, the most cost effective approach to managing pneumonia lies in a preventative programme that includes vaccination and a positive management programme to control the contributing management factors eg ventilation in calf houses. Responsible use of antibiotics in beef production must be an objective for all farmers.

Cows and breeding heifers should always be vaccinated against BVD, preferably before service, as BVD is associated with depletion of the immune system of in-contact cattle, interfering with both their natural immunity and their response to vaccination.