Bovine Respiratory Disease RT-PCR Panel
The Bovine Respiratory Disease RT-PCR Panel is a swab test that looks for the genetic material of common pneumonia germs, both viruses and bacteria, in cows and buffaloes. It typically covers several germs at once, and the exact list is confirmed when you book.
- Sample
- Nasal or deep nasopharyngeal swab
- Quantity
- As advised
- Report
- Confirmed when you book
- Collection
- Free in Bhopal
What this test checks
- Genetic material of common pneumonia viruses, such as the IBR virus, in a nasal swab
- Genetic material of common pneumonia bacteria, such as Pasteurella, Mannheimia or Mycoplasma
- Mixed infections, where several germs are found together
- Several germs from one swab; the exact list is confirmed when you book
Benefits of this test
- Checks for several pneumonia germs, both viruses and bacteria, from one swab.
- Can help your vet see which germs are behind cough and fever in a group of animals.
- Can show mixed infections, which are common in pneumonia.
- Helps your vet plan treatment or further tests, such as a nasal swab culture.
- Results from a few sick animals can guide care for the whole group.
When your vet may advise it
- Calves or young stock with fever, cough, nasal discharge or fast breathing.
- Several animals in a shed falling ill with cough and fever at the same time.
- Pneumonia after transport, mixing of new animals, weaning or a sudden weather change.
- Pneumonia that keeps coming back in a group of calves.
- When the illness is not getting better and your vet wants to know which germs are involved.
About this test
Bovine respiratory disease, often called pneumonia or shipping fever, is an infection of the airways and lungs. It is most common in calves and young stock, but adult cows and buffaloes can get it too. It usually involves more than one germ. Viruses often attack first, and bacteria then take hold in the damaged lungs. Stress from transport, weaning, crowding, poor air in the shed or a sudden change in weather makes it more likely. Signs include fever, cough, nasal discharge, fast or hard breathing, dullness and poor appetite.
The panel is a multiplex PCR test. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) finds a germ's genetic material, called DNA or RNA, by copying it many times, and multiplex means several germs are checked in one swab. The panel typically covers common respiratory viruses, such as the IBR (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis) virus, and bacteria such as Pasteurella, Mannheimia and Mycoplasma. The exact list is confirmed when you book. The sample is a nasal swab or a deep nasopharyngeal swab, which a vet takes from far back in the nose with a long, covered swab.
Swabs are most useful from animals early in the illness, before antibiotics are given, but a sick animal's care should never wait for the test. Testing a few sick animals in the group gives a clearer picture. Many of these bacteria also live in the noses of healthy cows and buffaloes, so finding one does not by itself mean it caused the pneumonia, and viruses may already be gone by the time signs are severe. A registered veterinarian reads the result together with the signs, the group's history and any recent vaccines or medicines.
How to prepare
A vet takes the swab, ideally from animals early in the illness and before antibiotics, though a sick animal's care must never wait for the test. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.
Reading the result
A registered veterinarian reads the result together with the animals' signs, the group's history and any recent vaccines or medicines. Some of these bacteria live in the noses of healthy cows and buffaloes, so a positive result does not show the cause on its own. A negative result does not rule infection out, because viruses may be gone by the time signs are severe.
Questions about Bovine Respiratory Disease RT-PCR Panel
What causes pneumonia in calves and cows?
Which germs does the cattle pneumonia PCR panel check?
Why should the swab be taken early in the illness?
Does a positive result mean that germ caused the pneumonia?
Before you book this test
Why this notice: so you know, before you book, how a test is done, what its limits are and who is responsible.
- Where it is tested. Some tests are done wholly or partly by an independent partner laboratory. The lab tells you before booking if this test is sent out, and the report names the laboratory that did it.
- What a result can and cannot tell you. No test is right every time. A normal result does not rule out every disease, and an abnormal result does not prove one. A registered veterinarian should read the report with the animal’s signs and history before any treatment is started, changed or stopped.
- The sample. A sample that is clotted, too small, wrongly labelled, leaking or too old may be rejected or reported with a note, and the lab may ask for a fresh one.
- Reporting time. Confirmed when you book. Times are estimates, not guarantees, and the lab confirms the time when you book.
- Emergencies. A booking or a pending report must not delay urgent care. If an animal has collapsed, struggles to breathe, has fits or bleeds heavily, call a veterinarian at once.
Please read our Terms of Service, Medical Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Refund and Cancellation Policy. Pashupatinath Vet Lab is operated by Duaji Healthcare and Tech Private Limited. This page is general information and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice.
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More RT-PCR tests
Bovine Respiratory Disease RT-PCR Panel: Bhopal and the big cities of Madhya Pradesh
Free sample collection anywhere in Bhopal. From the other cities, send the sample by courier, bus parcel or through your local veterinarian, and the report comes to you online.
Free collection in these Bhopal areas
Read more
How Swabs and Samples Are Taken for RT-PCR Tests
Most RT-PCR tests use a swab from the nose, throat or eye, a little fresh dung, or a small blood sample, depending on where the germ lives. A vet or trained person should take it, label it and keep it cool.
18 Oct 2026