Why is my goat trying to bleat but making no sound and coughing?

Hi there. Our goat's bleat can tell us a lot about how he feels. Coughing in goats is something we always address. Sometimes goats cough because of dust, etc that is on their hay, especially if they are fed indoors and air circulation is poor. Lungworms, or parasites in the lungs can also cause goats to cough. Goats can also be affected by things like pneumonia, respiratory infections, etc. Usually these things are accompanied by nasal discharge, or discharge around the eyes that looks a bit thickened and not of normal color. Bloat can make goats extremely painful and their bleats will be very minimal and shallow-make sure you're checking for any signs that his belly is swollen. Monitor your friend for normal urination, defecation, eating, and drinking as well-the lack of any of these things can be quite serious for goats and may require a trip to your regular veterinarian.