The prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis seems to be on the rise as commingling becomes more common in many beef cattle herds, said Vickie Cooper, DVM, Zoetis beef technical services, Iowa. “In open production systems, the prevalence of M. bovis is generally low. But as the number of confinement cow-calf operations increases, so does the threat of this disease-causing bacteria.”
Most known for its ability to cause bovine respiratory disease (BRD), M. bovis targets beef calves — leading to irreversible lung damage, mortality, and higher production costs.1 The bacteria are present in the respiratory system of perfectly normal calves but become a bigger problem when calves face stressors such as transportation, commingling, entry into the feedlot, and weather changes.
Although disease symptoms are similar, the sneaky nature of M. bovis makes this pathogen more challenging to detect and treat than other BRD-causing pathogens.
“Mycoplasma bovis operates a bit like a chameleon,” Cooper said. “The organism lacks a cell wall, and has variable surface proteins, so mycoplasmas can assume many forms and are very good at evading the calf’s immune system.”
The lack of a cell wall also makes treatment more difficult. “Symptoms must be caught very early for treatment to be effective,” Cooper said. “Mycoplasmas will begin forming communities within the lung, and once those communities are formed, it becomes very difficult for an antibiotic to penetrate the lesion and control the mycoplasmas.”
Preventing BRD caused by M. bovis
Helping to prevent M. bovis infection can include focusing on a calf’s environment and evaluating your vaccination program.
Protivity® is the first and only modified-live M. bovis vaccine and has been shown to help prevent irreversible lung damage due to M. bovis.2
“Depending on your management practices and disease prevalence, Protivity may be a great fit for your herd,” Cooper said. “But a solid vaccination program only works if other preventive practices that prioritize calf well-being are also in place.”
Some other best practices for mitigation include:
Minimize commingling where possible and segregate groups based on age, sex, and arrival date.
Provide good ventilation and avoid overcrowding.
Maintain proper sanitation of equipment and pens.
Provide adequate nutrition with fresh feed and clean water.
Use low-stress cattle handling techniques.
Provide adequate shelter and avoid dusty environments.
Consult your herd veterinarian for operation-specific strategies.
“We need to focus on doing all of the small things well,” Cooper said. She encourages producers to work with their herd veterinarian to identify opportunities for improving calf management to limit the risk of M. bovis and other disease-causing pathogens.
Reach out to your local Zoetis representative or visit Zoetisus.com/Protivity for more information on BRD prevention strategies and product solutions.
