A case series of 21 adult cows with acute infectious bronchopneumonia: clinical, laboratory, and thoracic ultrasonographic findings.

Thoracic ultrasonography aids diagnosis and prognosis of adult bovine bronchopneumonia, where classic respiratory signs are often absent.

This prospective case series describes clinical, hematological, and thoracic ultrasonographic findings in 21 adult cows (mean age 47 months) diagnosed with acute infectious bronchopneumonia across 11 farms. Cases predominantly occurred in winter and during the early postpartum period, with dairy cows comprising the majority (17/21). A notable finding was the infrequent presentation of classic respiratory signs such as coughing, wheezes, and crackles, highlighting the diagnostic challenge in this population. Thoracic ultrasonography demonstrated high diagnostic utility, identifying consolidations in 17/21 and pleural effusion in 13/21 cases, with serial imaging confirming lesion resolution following antibiotic therapy. Bronchoalveolar lavage via PCR identified Pasteurella multocida (18/21) and Mannheimia haemolytica (13/21) as the predominant pathogens. Outcomes were evenly split, with 11/21 classified as unfavorable (death or premature culling due to reduced milk production). Univariate analysis identified nasal discharge, left shift on CBC, reduced ruminal contractions, elevated respiratory rate at presentation (Day 0), and deeper ultrasonographic consolidation lesions on Days 0 and 5 as variables associated with unfavorable outcomes. These prognostic indicators may help clinicians stratify cases and guide treatment intensity. The study underscores thoracic ultrasonography as an invaluable cow-side tool for both diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression in adult bovine bronchopneumonia, a condition historically characterized primarily through postmortem examination.

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