Effects of NPCoat Intranasal™ on Health and Productivity of Beef Cattle

Abstract

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) continues to plague the beef cattle industry. Despite the introduction of new antibiotics and vaccines, the incidence of BRD has continued to rise. Although appropriate preconditioning can greatly lower the incidence of BRD, most cattle are not preconditioned and the stresses of weaning, commingling, transportation and acclimation can easily cause treatment rates exceeding 50% or more. NPCoat Intranasal™ is a medical device based on antibodies processed from hen's eggs that provides a protective shield against viral, bacterial and mycoplasmal proliferation when sprayed into the nasopharyngeal cavity of cattle. This report details the effects of the application ofNPCoat Intranasal™ on the incidence of morbidity and mortality related to BRD in southeastern calves shipped to a Colorado feedlot during January and February, 2005.