Sheep coughing

[Singing Shepherd]

Opinions wanted: ewe is exhibiting a transient , aggrevated cough which is present during any activity, eating, lying down, drinking, standing. Nothing that I can see triggers it. She is five months old, small of stature, otherwise jolly, active, and healthy. Normal temp. She stays with the flock and keeps up with them. She does however sit down a lot. She has been wormed recently .
So,,,,does cough = pneumonia?

 

[purplequeenvt]

No, a cough does not necessarily = pneumonia. It *could* be pneumonia, but you say that her behavior and temperature are normal. It could possibly be an allergy. We get sheep that during certain times of the year cough or get a runny nose due to some plant that is blooming or going to seed.

Lung worm might be a possibility. What are you feeding? Is her hay or grain moldy or dusty?

 

[Singing Shepherd]

No, the hay is fresh and her feed is kept in secured metal trash cans dry and rodent free. I wondered as well if allergy might fit. Purplequeenvt, what do you think of the sitting down a lot? She also has a more rapid respiratory rate than my other sheep. I am toying with the idea she might have lung or heart issues, but honestly, she jumps around, runs and explores normally with the others, which is not symptomatic of congestive issues. It's just that I cannot remember having ever seen any animals regularly sit down to eat their feed unless they are sick somehow. I have seen them nibbling grass when they are sitting resting, though. Maybe she just likes to rest a lot?

 

[Sheepshape]

'Personal' response sent....I hope she's getting better.

 

[Heather gray]

My Ram has been coughing for a few weeks and now it sounds like it is in his lungs. I have noticed that his spent grain has had some mold( which I always take out but could have possibly missed some ) and is dusty...Could this cause his coughing and possible lung issue?