VETS are warning livestock farmers to guard against severe cattle pneumonia caused by the Haemophilus somnus bacterium.
According to independent vet Dr Tony Andrews, reported cases have risen since 1997 and now H.somnus accounts for one in every five bacterial pneumonia cases in cattle, there is no vaccine to prevent it and not all antibiotics are effective against the pathogen.
Dr Andrews said he believed H.somnus pneumonia was more widespread than realised simply because it was impossible to spot the disease from the classical pneumonia symptoms normally presented.
"In some instances the disease becomes chronic and this may be the result of inadequate or unsuitable therapy," he said. "Not all antibiotics are licensed or effective against it, so make sure you check with your vet."
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