Q.  Some of my goats have a dry, hacking cough. Friends have recommended various treatments that haven't worked. What can cause this?

Here is a response from Dr. Steven Parish, a large animal professor at Washington State University.

Some of the possible causes of a chronic dry hacking cough in goats:

• Dry, dusty or moldy hay.

• Ammonia or other noxious fumes from bedding, etc.

• Viral infections, such as P13 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus. These can lead to a chronic cough syndrome without other signs.

• CAE virus, although coughing is not usually prominent.

• Any chronic bacterial or mycoplasma pneumonia.

• Lungworms.

• Caseous lymphadenitis - should see abscesses in animals.

So, it sounds like it could be something very simple or something more complicated. My suggestion is that if it persists, have a vet come out and take a look. It would be nice to have the vet visit your farm if several animals have the cough rather than taking just one or two animals in. During the visit, your vet may identify an environmental cause you have overlooked.