Post by Shawn on Jul 2, 2008 12:01:21 GMT -5
I'm not sure where to begin. I've been struggling with Belle for about 2 weeks now.
Back history is she was seeming a little "off." I gave some calcium paste, once, and molasses water and drench water off and on. She would seem to pick up after each of these and then again become disinterested in her food. She first goes off grain and then her alfalfa.
Mon night I finally called the vet out. I had called Sunday, but he recommended la200 and dexamethazone. I gave her the la200, then hesitated on the other because of abortion issues and couldn't find it, frankly. AnnB and I chatted on the phone (thanks Ann) and she suggested the Raglan Sweet Magnesium to help her get balanced. I had discussed her situation with Patti, another KFC board member, and she also suggested getting the vet out ASAP and giving her an IP - cal./mag/dextrose/etc into the abdomen. It's longer lasting and gives them more time to stabilize. So when I called him Monday I asked him to do that, he agreed. He also preg checked her, not bred. So gave her the dex. (steroid) to stimulate her appetite. He drew blood to check for anything else.
He was out mon at 5:30. At 11 p.m she was grazing. The next morning she ate her breakfast well. That night, she was off her feed entirely again. This morning she wouldn't even come in to try and eat. I did notice she had returned out to the pasture with the calves when I left for work.
I had cut Poppy back to nursing OAD and now will wean her entirely.
Belle is appearing to become dehydrated. Upon a pinch test, her skin goes back but doesn't spring back as quickly as I think it should.
The vet today said the blood work probably won't be back until Mon. He suggested drying her up completely. Which I will do.
I'm very tired, I'm sure I'm missing some important details. I'm frustrated that I have to be at work as much as I do.
I don't know what else I can do. she completely turned her nose up at molasses water last night.
Here's what I've pieced together as to what may have happened.
She went to the bull on 5/17. She had deep brome grass to eat and her grain. No kelp or alfalfa, which I know think may have started her into grass tetany.
When she came back, she appeared to have put a flush of weight on and looked good. But I think she was starting to get out of balance shortly after that.
As someone pointed out, if your alfalfa comes from magnesium poor soil, it won't have enough mag. in it to help out.
What can I do now while I'm waiting on test results and something to happen?
Shawn
Back history is she was seeming a little "off." I gave some calcium paste, once, and molasses water and drench water off and on. She would seem to pick up after each of these and then again become disinterested in her food. She first goes off grain and then her alfalfa.
Mon night I finally called the vet out. I had called Sunday, but he recommended la200 and dexamethazone. I gave her the la200, then hesitated on the other because of abortion issues and couldn't find it, frankly. AnnB and I chatted on the phone (thanks Ann) and she suggested the Raglan Sweet Magnesium to help her get balanced. I had discussed her situation with Patti, another KFC board member, and she also suggested getting the vet out ASAP and giving her an IP - cal./mag/dextrose/etc into the abdomen. It's longer lasting and gives them more time to stabilize. So when I called him Monday I asked him to do that, he agreed. He also preg checked her, not bred. So gave her the dex. (steroid) to stimulate her appetite. He drew blood to check for anything else.
He was out mon at 5:30. At 11 p.m she was grazing. The next morning she ate her breakfast well. That night, she was off her feed entirely again. This morning she wouldn't even come in to try and eat. I did notice she had returned out to the pasture with the calves when I left for work.
I had cut Poppy back to nursing OAD and now will wean her entirely.
Belle is appearing to become dehydrated. Upon a pinch test, her skin goes back but doesn't spring back as quickly as I think it should.
The vet today said the blood work probably won't be back until Mon. He suggested drying her up completely. Which I will do.
I'm very tired, I'm sure I'm missing some important details. I'm frustrated that I have to be at work as much as I do.
I don't know what else I can do. she completely turned her nose up at molasses water last night.
Here's what I've pieced together as to what may have happened.
She went to the bull on 5/17. She had deep brome grass to eat and her grain. No kelp or alfalfa, which I know think may have started her into grass tetany.
When she came back, she appeared to have put a flush of weight on and looked good. But I think she was starting to get out of balance shortly after that.
As someone pointed out, if your alfalfa comes from magnesium poor soil, it won't have enough mag. in it to help out.
What can I do now while I'm waiting on test results and something to happen?
Shawn