Coughing is a reflex mechanism by which the body tries to get rid of a foreign body that has entered the respiratory tract; it can also be a symptom of certain pathologies. In veterinary medicine, cough in cattle is a significant parameter in the diagnosis of diseases; its nature may indicate one or another pathological process. Let's look at why a cow coughs and what should be done to help her at home with some serious illnesses.
Causes of cattle cough
Coughing in cows, like in all animals, is a physiological process that is necessary to clear the respiratory tract of what interferes with normal breathing.
The most common cause of cough is the common cold. Animals get colds because they are in damp and dirty rooms, with drafts, with sudden temperature changes, in which ventilation, cleaning and disinfection are carried out irregularly. Animals can cough from irritants such as dust or gases entering the trachea or pharynx, or from mechanical damage to the respiratory tract. Typically, such a cough goes away as soon as the exposure to the irritating factor stops.
Among such diseases are tuberculosis, pasteurellosis, rhinotracheitis, streptococcosis, coronavirus and rotavirus infections. A cough can be a symptom of parasitic diseases in which parasites are found in the lungs. Cough in animals can be caused by hypovitaminosis and insufficient intake of protein into the body (poor-quality feeding), decreased immunity due to insufficient physical activity, and lack of solar insolation.
Mechanism of the cough reflex
Usually a cough occurs after irritation of the pharynx, bronchi, trachea, and root of the tongue. Irritating factors may include inflammatory processes, exposure to aggressive compounds and gases, accumulation of exudate, and foreign bodies. The cow's body reacts with a sigh, which involves the abdominal muscles. The glottis then contracts and pressure increases in the chest to push the excess out of the airways.
Types of problem
Coughs in cows can vary in strength and character and depend on the severity of the pathological process, where it is localized, and also on the degree of development of the respiratory tract muscles and the health status of the cow.
When a cow's trachea and larynx are inflamed, a short but intense and loud cough is heard, wheezing caused by accumulated fluid, the animal's temperature increases, and it breathes heavily. If the disease affects the lungs, the cough will be muffled and long, and heavy breathing will also be noted.
What to do if a cow is coughing
Since it is obvious that cough in livestock occurs for a variety of reasons, it is necessary, first of all, to identify them in order to begin therapy. Let's consider serious lung pathologies that are subject to mandatory treatment.
Tuberculosis
The source of tuberculosis pathogens for cows is the excretions of a sick animal - sputum, feces, or for a calf - milk. The pathogen is transmitted through food, water, and the respiratory tract. Crowded housing, joint feeding and watering of sick and healthy animals, and common grazing contribute to the spread of tuberculosis. With severe tuberculosis, cows experience shortness of breath, wheezing during breathing, weight loss and loss of appetite, dry skin, increased temperature, and cough with sputum.
Often, at the initial stage, the disease proceeds secretly, without obvious and characteristic signs; it can only be detected during this period with the help of diagnostic procedures. A tuberculin test can be performed on calves from 2 months of age and on pregnant cows. If the injection site increases after 3 days and the local temperature rises, a repeat test is performed.
Pathological changes in tuberculosis in cattle are the formation of nodular seals in the affected organs, formed from connective tissue and calcium salts. Also observed are necrotic foci in the lungs, foci of inflammation containing pus, cavities, inflammation of the lymph nodes, ulcers on the mucous membrane, pathological changes in the heart, kidneys, liver, and bone marrow.
Treat bovine tuberculosis is inappropriate; once the diagnosis is confirmed, the animals are slaughtered.
Pneumonia
It is typical for calves in the first month of life, but adult animals can also get sick. Reasons: keeping on a cold and damp floor, hypothermia, drafts, lack of vitamins in the feed, insufficient physical activity. The disease occurs acutely, subacutely, atypically and chronically. Characterized by cough, gastrointestinal disorders and weight loss, in the acute form - fever and swelling of the extremities, chest, abdominal wall, temperature, and nasal discharge. Treatment should be started immediately; within 2-8 days the sick animal may die.
Dictyocaulosis
The disease is caused by nematodes Dictyocaulidae, which parasitize the lungs and bronchi of cows and ruminants. Infection occurs through animal contact, on grazing, or through bedding. Cough in cows with dictyocaulosis occurs from mechanical irritation of lung tissue by parasites. Toxins poison the body, animals' metabolism is disrupted, and the temperature increases.
Complications – central nervous system depression, secondary infections, exhaustion. Possible death of calves. Treatment at home is carried out with anthelmintic drugs.
Prevention
Measures should be aimed at improving the conditions of livestock care and maintenance; animals should be kept in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area and take daily walks.Proper feeding and walking are the main factors that increase cows’ resistance to infections. It is mandatory to disinfect the premises and keep new individuals in quarantine.
Coughing in cows and calves is often a sign of infectious diseases. It is important to identify the disease in time, treat the animals, if possible, and organize preventive measures.
