Background. Bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis is a major cause of disease in dairy and beef cattle. Relevant and reliable disease models are needed to identify and test novel vaccine candidates. Methods. We compared the clinical, biochemical and pathological responses in 7 strains of mice after experimental intranasal challenge with a virulent bovine isolate of Pasteurella multocida A:3 with no predisposing treatment. Results. Six mouse strains (Porton, CD-1, BALB/c, VM, C57bl/10 and C57bl/6) developed overt pneumonic disease and variable pneumonic lesions 41 - 70h post-infection. RIII mice became septicaemic within 36h post-infection. The effect of mouse strain was statistically significant on plasma amyloid A (P=0.006) and serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (P<0.001) while the interaction effect of mouse strain and infection status on plasma LPS-binding protein was statistically significant (P=0.035). Conclusion. Responses in C57bl/10 mice showed close similarity to bovine pneumonic disease; those in RIII mice suggested this strain as a model of systemic pasteurellosis.