My cow is mouth breathing and depressed after calving. Is it serious?

Heavy breathing can be a sign of several things including problems with the heart and lungs. Kidney and liver issues can also sometimes lead to heavy breathing in cows. If she's kept indoors in a barn, irritation from bedding or cramped quarters can also cause respiratory disease. Since this has been ongoing for a while, and doesn't seem to be improving, i'd call out a local vet to have her examined.

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!

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.

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.

IT is possible your cow has mastitis. This is inflammation of the mammary gland. Mastitis can be mild or severe with a deep infection. Try to keep the teats as clean as possible. I would recommend trying to encourage the calf to nurse from the inflamed mammary gland or milk that teat often. IF the cows udder starts turning color, patient develops a fever or starts not feeling well I would recommend calling a vet for a good exam and possible antibiotics

It does sound as if your cow may have something stuck in her mouth or throat. If you’re able to gently feel around in her mouth with your hand it may be a good idea. If this is unsuccessful you probably need to contact a veterinarian to come out and have a look at her. Other things that can cause abnormal Swallowing/choking in a cow besides a foreign body include toxin ingestion and possibly a neurologic disorder. These are more serious and hopefully it’s not what’s going on. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

She may have had an injury that happened during calving, inflammation, insect bites, hormonal problems. You should have a veterinarian examine her, as she will need a vaginal exam, he needs to check whether the uterus has involuted properly or has fluid in it or a mummified fietus (even if she gave birth to a calf two months ago), take her temperature and check her udder for mastitis. Her vulva looks like there is some inflammation or infection going on.