Why is my cow breathing loudly and heavily but acting normal?

Hello. Your animal has pneumonia or possibly a lung abscess. This needs to be properly diagnosed by a veterinarian so the appropriate medication can be started. We are unable to recommend any medications on this site. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Yes, I would be a bit worried. She may have some retained placenta or a uterine tear from the dystocia. If either of those are the case, she could end up with a life-threatening bacterial infection. I suggest you get your vet out there to check her out. It is better to be safe than sorry in this instance. Best wishes.

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

283 days is the typical gestation length for a cow, so if she is close to her due date and off her feed it may be that she is going into labor. You may notice strange behavior, swelling of the vulva, an increased amount of milk in her udders, and the beginning of discharge. However, if she seems in great distress, doesn't go into labor and produce a calf, or seems to be in labor and can't pass the calf, it would be best to seek veterinary care in person immediately as the calf may be stuck and need to be pulled, or there may be an underlying illness causing issue.

The most common cause of coughing in cattle is known as shipping fever (though it doesn't have to happen with shipping), a disease process commonly occurring with cows that have undergone more stress than usual. There are two organisms that can commonly be responsible for this disease, both of which will require an antibiotic to treat. If you go to a farming store to obtain antibiotics, you should look for one that is labeled for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease, specifically against Manheimia and Pasturella. Hope this helps.

If you are noticing a change in respiration, she needs to see the veterinarian quickly. Changes in respiration can indicate severe heart disease, fluid in the lungs, pneumonia, tumors in the chest or something impairing the movement in the diaphragm. She may not be laying down because she can't breath well in that position. Respiratory issues should always be checked out quickly. The veterinarian may need a chest x-ray to know whats going on. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Poor girl. Heavy breathing that just starts in an older dog is highly suspicious of things like heart disease, a primary lung disease or even cancer. The next best step here would be to get Lady to your local vet for an x-ray of her chest. This is a great diagnostic tool to help up definitively say what is causing her breathing issues so that we know how to proceed with Lady and get her breathing as normal as possible again. I hope that you are able to get Lady checked out soon! Best of luck and take care.