Ultrasonography of the cranial part of the thorax is a quick and sensitive technique to detect lung consolidation in veal calves.

backgroundIn the veal calf industry, bovine respiratory disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality. Lung ultrasonography (LUS) is an accurate technique to diagnose bronchopneumonia in calves. Due to the economic constraints faced by the industry, a screening technique able to rapidly examine large numbers of calves is required.

objectiveTo determine if lung ultrasonography focusing on the cranial part of the thorax (1st to 2nd intercostal space (ICS) on the right and 2nd to 3rd on the left) and/or on the middle part of the thorax (3rd to 5th ICS on the right and 4th to 5th on the left) (alternative techniques) are rapid screening techniques as sensitive as LUS of the entire lung (reference technique) to identify calves with lung consolidation lesions.

methodsData on 300 veal calves aged 33.1 ± 8.0 days and weighing on average 67.5 ± 4.0 kg at LUS from two farms were analysed. Systematic LUS of the entire lung was performed on all calves and a lung consolidation score was given to different parts of the thorax. Agreements between the alternative and the reference techniques were measured by Cohen's κ, McNemar's test and weighted κ.

resultsAgreement between LUS focusing on the cranial + middle part or on the cranial part only of the thorax and the reference technique were almost perfect with a cutoff of 1 cm. The relative sensitivity of these two alternative techniques was high (> 93%).

conclusionLung ultrasonography of the cranial + middle part or on the cranial part only of the thorax are quick and sensitive techniques to identify veal calves with lung consolidation lesions shortly after arrival at the facility.