Symptoms of Respiratory Disease

12.1 Symptoms of Respiratory Disease Procedure:

55Symptoms:

-Increased respiratory rate -Difficult breathing -Eye and nose discharge -Coughing and sneezing -Swollen throat -Swollen stomach -Fever I. Stand quietly and observe the animal from a distance. A healthy animal breathes almost effortlessly. However, if any of the following signs are seen, there may be a respiratory disease:

1. Increased respiratory rate (can also increase from overheating, pain or fear)

2. Difficult breathing  Flaring of the nostrils  Open-mouth breathing  Breathing with the neck extended  Jerky movement or extra effort of the rib muscles

 Well-developed line of muscles across the animal's ribs (also called “heave-line” and is associated with a chronic respiratory problem; also called “heaves” in horses).

Horse with “heave-line” across its abdomen.

3. Discharge from nose and eyes.

4. Coughing and sneezing.

5. Bloated abdomen - Many animals that are having difficulty breathing (especially cattle and buffalo) may look slightly bloated. This is not because of a stomach problem. Rather, when they breathe rapidly, some of the air goes to their rumen instead of to their lungs. In fact, many farmers complain that their buffalo or oxen is “bloated” when the real problem is in their lungs or throat!

6. Swollen throat.

II. Move close and examine the animal carefully, including whether it has a fever.