Field application of Lung Ultrasonography in bovine: a scoping review

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is considered one of the most expensive diseases in the cattle farming worldwide affecting bothbeef and dairy production. This disease is primarily responsible for increased veterinary costs, treatment expenses, reduced pro-ductivity, and, in severe cases, the culling of affected animals. Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective managementand prevention of BRD-related losses. The difficulty in diagnosis based on clinical signs of the animal determines the need tointroduce new diagnostic methods. Lung ultrasonography (LUS) has emerged as a valuable, non-invasive, and quick tool offer-ing numerous advantages. It allows for real-time, dynamic evaluation of the lung tissue, providing detailed insights into the pres-ence of pathological changes.This article provides a comprehensive overview of the practical application of LUS in the diagnosis of BRD in cattle. LUS is per-formed using linear or convex probes, equipped with high or middle frequency transducers. The lung can be investigated fromthe 1st to the 10th intercostal space on the right and from the 2nd to the 10th on the left, with differences in size and age of theanimal. Several alterations and artefacts can be observed in pathological conditions: comet-tails, B-lines, consolidation, fluid alve-olograms and bronchograms. These signs provide valuable information on the extent and severity of lung lesions, which can beused to assign an ultrasonography score to the animal. The two ultrasound scoring systems proposed below allows to discrim-inate between healthy and diseased animals, guiding the decision-making process for both treatment and management strate-gies. Additionally, routine ultrasound screening and follow-up assessments offer valuable insights into the progression of the dis-ease, enabling practitioners to monitor the effectiveness of treatments and make timely adjustments to therapy. Overall, LUS rep-resents a promising diagnostic approach that enhances the ability to manage BRD in cattle efficiently, improving animal healthand welfare, and minimizing economic losses in the livestock industry.