Lung Ultrasonography and Clinical Follow-Up Evaluations in Fattening Bulls Affected by Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) during the Restocking Period and after Tulathromycin and Ketoprofen Treatment

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The restocking period is a crucial time for fattening bulls: stressors such as transport predispose animals to bovine respiratory disease, reducing animal well-being and causing economic losses. Ultrasonography is a non-invasive, real-time, and portable method frequently employed in farming. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the thoracic ultrasound in identifying animals with bovine respiratory disease on a restocking farm, and in assessing the efficacy of tulathromycin and ketoprofen treatment in sick animals. Our findings reveal that lung ultrasound is a useful diagnostic tool for screening respiratory diseases. Moreover, tulathromycin and ketoprofen treatment was effective in reducing both clinical symptoms and lung lesions. ABSTRACT: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a global infectious disease, causing decreased well-being and economic losses in livestock, frequently during the restocking period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) to assess BRD in restocked animals, and the effectiveness of tulathromycin and ketoprofen treatment in sick animals. A total of 60 Limousin fattening bulls were enrolled. On the day of restocking (T0), the animals were divided into two groups based on TUS assessment of six lung areas: group C (ultrasonography score (US score) < 3) and group D (US score ≥ 3). Group D received a single administration of tulathromycin and ketoprofen at T0: this group was revaluated after 1.5, 3, 7, and 14 days. Both groups were revaluated after 21 days. The two groups showed a significant difference both in US score and clinical symptoms (respiratory score, nasal and ocular discharges, and rectal temperature) at T0. In group D, the treatment was effective in improving the clinical symptoms and US score, particularly reducing the severity of lung lesions. TUS represents a non-invasive and cost-effective tool for BRD early diagnosis and for monitoring treatment efficacy in restocked livestock.