Effet des pathologies respiratoires sur la fonction pulmonaire des bovins à l'engraissement

Clinical, serological and physiological values were measured during and after naturally occuring respiratory disease in fattening cattle. Clinical and serological findings were in agreement with the description of the Shipping Fever syndrome. Pulmonary function values recorded during the initial stage of the disease showed a significant increase in respiratory rate, total pulmonary resistance, minute viscous work of breathing and alveolo-arterial oxygen gradient and a significant decrease in tidal volume and arterial oxygen tension. None of these values was still abnormal 2 weeks later. It was concluded that moderate Shipping Fever induce an acute obstructive disease located mainly at the level of large airways. On the other hand, the complete reversibility of the clinical and functional changes indicates that accurate preventive and curative treatments may avoid the onset of severe pulmonary dammage and may reduce the economical losses induced by the Shipping Fever syndrome.