Other possible causes of this breathing behavior include
aspiration pneumonia
- The first type is meconium aspiration which can occur during birth. Meconium is the first feces passed by a newborn and can be excreted into the amniotic fluid during birth, often during stress. The calf may aspirate some of this mixture during birth or while still covered with amniotic fluid after birth. Meconium aspiration can cause breathing difficulties due to swelling (inflammation) in the lungs and may lead to pneumothorax. It is unclear how meconium triggers this inflammatory response; however, bile and liver enzymes have been suggested as possible causes.
- A second type of aspiration pneumonia is from colostrum administration, typically from improper placement of an esophageal feeding tube.
vitamin E/Se deficiency
- Dr. McGuirk also noted that every now and then, calves with a deficiency of vitamin E/Se can show a nutritional myopathy, or muscle disorder, which can affect the diaphragm, resulting in a rapid, shallow breathing effort.