▶️ Watch: A Clearer Picture: Using Ultrasound to Detect Calf Respiratory Issues

Introduction

Dr. Theresa Ollivett, Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, dives into the hidden challenges of respiratory disease in young dairy calves. On-farm lung ultrasounds reveal that pneumonia often lurks beneath the surface—even after treatment—impacting calf growth, welfare, and profitability. In this session, Dr. Ollivett discusses the critical questions producers and veterinarians should be asking and demonstrates how lung ultrasound can provide answers. She shares practical applications for identifying risk factors, detecting problems early, monitoring treatment effectiveness, and tracking disease trends to improve herd health and performance.

Chapters

1. 03:13 Fidelity of diagnosis
2. 10:37 Lung Ultrasound publications
3. 17:26 Blinded challenge study results
4. 24:44 Lung ultrasound leaders
5. 28:12 Is lung scanning worth the cost
6. 33:35 Questions that scanning can answer
7. 36:46 Wean Clean philosophy
8. 40:31 How many calves have abnormal manure
9. 42:00 Navel infections
10. 42:14 Hunger behavior
11. 42:54 What scanning looks like
12. 48:59 Questions

Learn more

To learn more about about this topic, read How Lung Ultrasounds Are Changing Calf Care.