Healthy airways mean that animals perform well. “To keep the fires burning, you need oxygen,” explained veterinarian Niels Geurts. “Just like nutrition, oxygen is essential for all processes in the body.” A calf’s lung has limited excess capacity. As a result, any damage to the lungs rapidly leads to a shortage of oxygen. “And that in turn brings the animal’s growth to a standstill.” If a calf suffers airway problems, the recommendation is to also adjust the diet. “Adjust the feed and give the calf a chance to recover.” Healthy lungs mean maximum growth and development in the calf, and better performance as a dairy cow. The consequence of airway problems in the short term is delayed growth, and in the longer term there is evidence of “a higher rearing age for the heifers, 500 kg less milk in the first lactation, and more problems during calving.”