Post by Shawn on Jun 20, 2008 16:32:03 GMT -5
a week or so ago I noticed that she didn't seem like she felt good or was just "off." I thought it might be related to my taking Lady in to the processor and she was depressed. I'm not really thinking that's it anymore. She has 3, 8-9 mo. old steers and her 2 mos. old fostered heifer calf with her.
As a cow that would run over you for food, she's been very nonchalant about coming in and eating. At times she just comes in and looks at me. Then begrudgingly starts to eat. NOT NORMAL. Other than suspecting mastitis from all the wet weather, I don't know what to think. (I should have tested her on the CMT, I will do that tonight) I bring her in morning and evening for Poppy to eat. She hasn't been willing to feed her free choice. I've noticed the last 2 feedings Belle's bag is not full, apparently her production is dropping. . Poppy seems still as hungry, so I don't believe she's nursing in the pasture. In fact, Poppy seemed a bit frantic last night and I encouraged her to eat some alfalfa, which she dove into.
Belle gets about 8 lbs. of grain divided into 2 feedings and a flake of alfalfa divided into 2. There is a round bale of brome out, but I don't think the bovines have touched it in quite a while. They have native grasses in the pasture.
I have begun to think she is bloating just a little bit. Her triangle area on her left side seems to pooch out at times when I'm watching her. I have tapped on it (I think someone suggested that makes them belch.) and I noticed she tipped her head up, stretched her neck and maybe? did belch. Then began eating again. Then the next minute she'll look fine there. How could she bloat when there's virtually no clover available to her and absolutely no wet alfalfa?
Her ears are warm.
what am I missing?
What should I do or try? Something's not right, but I can't figure it out.
I hope I've remembered all the pertinent details.
She's 7, hopefully about 30 days bred, I'll biotrack next weekend.
Shawn
As a cow that would run over you for food, she's been very nonchalant about coming in and eating. At times she just comes in and looks at me. Then begrudgingly starts to eat. NOT NORMAL. Other than suspecting mastitis from all the wet weather, I don't know what to think. (I should have tested her on the CMT, I will do that tonight) I bring her in morning and evening for Poppy to eat. She hasn't been willing to feed her free choice. I've noticed the last 2 feedings Belle's bag is not full, apparently her production is dropping. . Poppy seems still as hungry, so I don't believe she's nursing in the pasture. In fact, Poppy seemed a bit frantic last night and I encouraged her to eat some alfalfa, which she dove into.
Belle gets about 8 lbs. of grain divided into 2 feedings and a flake of alfalfa divided into 2. There is a round bale of brome out, but I don't think the bovines have touched it in quite a while. They have native grasses in the pasture.
I have begun to think she is bloating just a little bit. Her triangle area on her left side seems to pooch out at times when I'm watching her. I have tapped on it (I think someone suggested that makes them belch.) and I noticed she tipped her head up, stretched her neck and maybe? did belch. Then began eating again. Then the next minute she'll look fine there. How could she bloat when there's virtually no clover available to her and absolutely no wet alfalfa?
Her ears are warm.
what am I missing?
What should I do or try? Something's not right, but I can't figure it out.
I hope I've remembered all the pertinent details.
She's 7, hopefully about 30 days bred, I'll biotrack next weekend.
Shawn