Calf with rapid, shallow breathing

[badaxemoo]

I have a heifer calf born two days ago that is puffing away at 50+ times a minute and her breathing is shallow.

The breathing sounds clear, she is nursing fine, and moving around normally.

It was warm here yesterday afternoon, but she was still doing it this morning when it was cool.

Any thoughts on what to look for?

 

[Alice]

I would have said heat, except you've said she was still panting like this in the cool morning.

Is she located somewhere that there is a high pollen count? I'm just throwing out anything right now...

I wonder if a shot of banamine might help...

Alice

 

[Sir Loin]

My best guess would be that she is a preemie, or her lungs are as yet not fully developed.
IMO, as long as she seems fine, other then rapid shallow breathing, I wouldn’t give her anything except time to fully develop or maybe just an aspirin once a day.
If it does not clear up in 2 – 3 week then I would be more concerned.
What’s her temp?

Please keep us posted on her condition.
SL


.

 

[TheBullLady]

Some times that's a symptom of pnuemonia. There are also cattle that are less heat resistant than others that will breathe faster than "normal". If she has a healthy appetite and no other symptoms (temp, lethargic) she is probably feeling the heat more than the others.

I actually cull for that trait.. but here in Texas you'll notice a marked difference in weight gain and productivity in the cows that are heat tolerant.

 

[badaxemoo]

So which is correct?

http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/pdfs/bch/03000.pdf

Says a mild fever is above 103.1

Storey's Guide to Beef Cattle

I believe the author says to consider treatment if temperature is about 102.5

My calf's temperature was 103 last night and her respirations were still rapid. I listened to her lungs and they sounded clear. No drainage around the nose. She might be a little listless, but can run and seems to be nursing-defecating fine.

I am very hesitant to use antibiotics, but given her young age, I decided to give her 2.5 ml of LA-200 last night (after reading up in the archives, I suppose Baytril or Nuflor would be better, but the LA200 is what I had on hand).

This morning her temp was 101.9 and the respirations had slowed down, but were still high. I guess I'll just keep an eye on her.

Should I still consider some Banamine if the fever has subsided but the respirations are still high?

 

[Alice]

Should I still consider some Banamine if the fever has subsided but the respirations are still high?

I would, but that's just me...

Alice

 

[Sir Loin]

Re:

Should I still consider some Banamine if the fever has subsided but the respirations are still high?

I wouldn’t, I would stick with the LA-200. And give the calf the same dose for two more days.
SL

 

[milkmaid]

I'd give a small amount of Dexamethasone... not only does it reduce inflammation in the lungs (ie pneumonia), but as a steroid it also helps premature lungs to mature quicker. Dex would help regardless of which one is the calf's problem, but I'd only use it in conjunction with an antibiotic due to the fact that it supresses the immune system.