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Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains one of the most costly cattle diseases worldwide. Its multi-factorial nature both in terms of risk factors and causative agents means that when approaching the disease it is important to develop a systematic approach to the identification, investigation, management and future prevention of the disease. Diagnostic sampling can play a key role in understanding the disease process on a specific farm but it is important to select the correct animals for sampling and the correct diagnostic testing. Treatment for BRD remains symptomatic and needs to be instituted quickly in order to have the most effect. Following the identification and initial management of a disease outbreak it is important to then look at future prevention strategies. Prevention consists of both vaccination programmes and establishing and maintaining management practices which reduce the risk of disease.

The types of urogenital conditions observed in large animals are both species and function dependent, with very different diseases being seen in commercial stock compared with small groups of animals of the same species. This article focuses on conditions that can be managed surgically, discussing the decision-making process for conditions such as urinary tract obstruction, bladder prolapse and pyelonephritis, along with techniques for caesarean section, vasectomy and castration.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a complex syndrome that can cause significant economic impact on farm through the immediate costs of treatment as well as long-term production losses, and increased risk of mortality or premature departure from the herd. The clinical signs and pathology are due in part to the host's response to inflammatory mediators that are produced in reaction to the presence of the pathogens. Variation in individual animals' responses to the sepsis associated with BRD result in the spectrum of clinical signs and disease severity observed on farm. The variation in clinical picture presents a diagnostic challenge for farmers and can negatively impact disease detection. The use of objective scoring systems for BRD can facilitate the detection and provide a means of monitoring disease at a herd or group level. While antimicrobials remain the mainstay of BRD treatment on farm, the use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) alongside them has become commonplace, with the aim of promoting more rapid recovery via their analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic actions.