Another cow breathing funny, ...

[miss_thenorth]

Hi, I have read the other thread, but my situation is different. my calf is just under a year, she is a dexter. She had a bad case of lice in the winter, but we got that under control.

Having a very wet spring, she was just turned out on pasture recently, and we increased her grazing time gradually.

But I noticed, as soon as she went on pasture, she started breathing loudly. Thinking it might be worms, I dosed her with ivermec. Apparently it wasn't worms that were causing her to breathe like that, becasue she is still doing it. She acts normal in every other aspect, grazes, chews her cud, runs with the other critters, is playful. She does not recieve any grain, and is hand-fed loose minerals. I have not taken her temp, but can do so if you think I should--I just never bothered becasue other than the breathing loud, she seem s perfectly fine. She is not heaving, does not seem distressed. I have searched for any info that might provide me with some insight, to no avail. i am new to cows, she is my first, so I don't know if this is a normal thing. Should I be worried, is it something I should be calling the vet for? i have no problems doing so, but I thought I would seek your expertise from you first.

 

[raykour]

I started the other thread, and since this calf I have started to pay ALOT of attention to all of my cows and their breathing. I have a steer that seems to make alot of noise (a baldy, about 900 lbs at this point) as well. He is fat, healthy, and shiney. I don't think there is anything wrong with him. He has never coughed or had any discharge. So, maybe some just do. But, I am no expert and hopefully some others will reply. Since it is something NEW, that is the thing that is different. My steer might have been like this all along, I just never paid attention before. Since it started happening when you put her out on pasture, she could have an allergy and it could cause a racket. Someone mentioned you can give tri-hist granules to cattle....

 

[miss_thenorth]

Hi, I thought I hasd responded to you, but I guess it didn't go through. Yeah, I am hoping some others respond also, as I am a bit concerned about her,a nd can't find any info.

 

[elevan]

Could be lung worms...

I think ivomec needs to be dosed a few times for that...hopefully someone else can back that up. Also any time there is a parasite or illness in the lungs it can take a little while after the issue is resolved for the lungs to heal.

The really experienced cow people aren't on very often, so it may be a few days for one of them to respond.

 

[redtailgal]

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[miss_thenorth]

She was treated for lice with ivermec also. Then three weeks later, treated again, b/c I suspected lungworm. That was three weeks ago, and she is still breathing loud. No temp, no discharge, seems perfectly healthy and playful, looks beautiful, but breathes loud. I will be running fecals on all my critters next week. ( i do my own) but time is tight right now, next week will slow down.

Maybe it is just normal for her, but I posted it just to see what experienced cow ppl had to say, if some of their cows also do it. cuz i am clueless. Puzzled, b/c she seems fine other thatn the breathing.

 

[redtailgal]

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[SuburbanFarmChic]

Draxxin is my go to antibiotic of choice for anything respiratory.


I would keep checking on her for signs of her breathing turning labored or wet. Good signs of pneumonia. I've noticed that when the pollen is high the goats sneeze and snort a lot and will even get a nasal discharge but aren't sick. Just stuffy.

I'm not super familiar with cows but can they have an antihistamine? Maybe trying something like benadryl or such to see if it is allergies getting to her.

 

[Beekissed]

A bolus of garlic juice....see what happens!

 

[elevan]

A bolus of garlic juice....see what happens!

Garlic has anti-viral properties (I take it myself as a supplement)...but how much would you use for a cow?