Cattle that have been off feed for over a day may appear gaunt. Early in the course of BRD the cattle may appear slightly depressed. They may hold their head slightly lower than normal, have droopy ears, and be less interested in their environmental surroundings than their herd-mates. Cattle with BRD often exhibit a stiff gait. Diarrhea can often be a symptom associated with the complex.
Respiratory involvement progresses quickly.
A soft repetitive cough is usually associated with the clinical course. Watery eyes and a clear nasal discharge are often noticed. Left untreated, the animal can progress to heavy, labored breathing. Ultimately the animal will die from asphyxiation. Table 1 shows the effect of transit stress on intake of calves at the feedlot following shipping.