B-0 Hereford Cow in distress

[Kerri]

Our hereford cow, Chloe, became extremely sick yesterday. It came on very suddenly and I am at a loss for what could be wrong. She has no temp,, is down most of the time, but when forced up is very wobbly, and is off all feed. She was dripping milk last night, but she laid down before the baby could nurse, so the baby is really hungry! When she is laying, she looks bloated, but not so much when she stands. Her respirations are really slow and on the exhale she seems to really push the air out and make a grunting sound. She is almost 4 and had her second calf earlier this spring.

Last night we gave her a magnet (which we should have done long before now) a does of penicillin and a B complex injection. We mixed up Rena's drench , but were only able to get a little bit into her. When I went out this morning, she was laying in the same spot as last night, so I think she must've been down all night. I forced her up (took about 10 minutes) and she slowly and unsteadily made her way into the barn. She seemed confused about where to go....so unusual. She did have a small BM on her way in and it did have a gob of mucous in it, but no blood and was pretty normal consistency.

She was AI'd back in July and has had no heat signs, so we are assuming that she is bred. Last night when she was laying down in the barn, the other animals kept sniffing at her rear end on their way out. Once we got her outside one of the cows tried to mount her (and that cow was definitely not in heat...she just had a strong heat cycle a few days ago). Think this means anything?

I'm waiting for the vets office to open. I'll call and try to get him out here today. Chloe is the foundation cow for our hereford herd. It would be absolutely awful if we lost her now.

Any advice?

Kerri

[Jenn]

I have no clue...except to get as much energy into her as often as possible so she doesn't shut down before you and the vet can figure out what's going on. More Rena drench, or hot molasses water (I am assuming cool nights) and different kinds of feed...hay, grain, fresh leaves, herbs.....
-Jenn

[Kathleen (Southforte Farms)]

Ack! Another cow down! I'm so sorry, Kerri! I am absolutely no help, but my experience with dogs was that mucous in the poo was a symptom of intestinal infection, so maybe hardware issues? sounds like the magnet was the right start in that direction.

Will pray for quick answers and a good vet!

Kathleen

[Kerri]

She is refusing everything I try to give her. I tried molasses water this morning, tried pouring molasses on her grain (which she loves) and hay....nothing. She is refusing all of it. I will try to drench her again after I talk to the vet.

I am not hearing much rumen sounds either. And she is not chewing her cud at all. She's really sick. She is one of our most affectionate cows...loves to be petted and scratched....she doesn't even want that now. Can't say I blame her though...I don't want anyone touching me when I dont feel good.

Hopefully we can figure this one out sooner rather than later.

[wyomama]

Did you get her temperature?

A lot of times, a B-complex injection can stimulate their appetite.

The smelling could mean that she's got a uterine infection. The mounting may mean nothing other than a cow higher on the totem pole is showing signs of weakness, so the lower cows are trying to move up a peg.

[Kerri]

She doesn't have a temp and we did give her a B complex injection last night. The vet is on his way right now.

[Kerri]

The vet just left. He thinks it is from something she ingested, but not hardware. She is completely full but her rumen is not functioning at all. Whatever is in there is just sitting and not moving or being digested. He gave a gallon of mineral oil, probios, and 2 other bolus'(one a charcoal and the other a mag...I think...will have to double check the container). I was amazed at the number of HUGE pills he put down her!! I have to give her the HUGE pills twice a day until she is fully back on feed and pooping consistently. That should be fun for me to do....at night I will have help, but I fly solo in the morning. Can't wait

This animal has been on the same pasture for 3 years. It boggles my mind that now she would ingest something that would result in this. I guess you just never know.

He said the next 24 hours will be crucial. If things don't start to move, there could be some kind of blockage.....not good. Send positive eating and pooping thoughts our way

[wyomama]

Praying for lots of green smelly poop! ;D

[Selden]

I'm with Lee Anne. I also pray something like a plastic bag didn't blow into your pasture. I remember that happened on the list about six years ago. Not good.

GOOD LUCK and I'll be thinking of you!

[jerseymike]

Sept 28, 2010 10:12:52 GMT -5 Kerri said:

He gave a gallon of mineral oil, probios, and 2 other bolus'(one a charcoal and the other a mag. I have to give her the HUGE pills twice a day until she is fully back on feed and pooping consistently.

Our girl did the same thing several months back, went completely off feed/water and milk went from 2 gals OAD to nothing all gut sounds quit, we did the same... magnet, Lactobacillus Bolus, Mag Bolus, Charcoal and she snapped out of it in about three/four days. day two she started picking at food and water, and got better from there. Could not have done the huge bolus without the balling gun


You may be able to make one from a piece of 1" PVC pipe with something that will fit inside as a plunger (I used another piece of PVC pipe with the end closed). If you use a balling gun make sure their head is either level or nose down so the bolus goes down the throat, if the nose is tilted to sky the bolus may go down the windpipe.

Mike

[Jenn]

How would you rate the pasture quality? Sometimes they can eat plants they wouldn't normally eat if the pickings are slim...or plants that are normally safe can make prussic acid or build up too much nitrogen? with a new rain after prolonged drought or the first sunny day after prolonged gray days.

Or something could have blown onto your property or become uncovered in the ground.
-Jenn

[Kerri]

Our pasture is not so great right now. Grass is really struggling to grow. We are going to have to feed more hay earlier in the season this year. We do rotational grazing...but both pastures are quite stressed right now.

Could this issue cause any problems with her pregnancy? She was bred in mid July, so she isn't that far along.

I just checked on her and she looks pathetic. She's laying down in her stanchion with her head laying in the manger. poor thing.. She did drink a little bit of water...very little, but at least it was something. Still hasn't touched a bite of food though.

[Tricia]

Wish we were closer I have a balling gun you can borrow if you needed to ANd the vet forgot his yesterday (guess I should call him and let him know? hehehehe).
The grunting is usually pain and if her rumen isn't working that is sure going to hurt.
Did the vet palpate her to check for something going on in there?
Hope your girl gets better soon.

[Kerri]

Is it normal for the calf to not want to nurse when the mother is sick??? I tried twice today to get the calf to nurse...and no interest at all. She wouldn't even get near Chloes udder. She drank a bucket of water and ate all her feed. But is bellaring like crazy. Thought it was cause she wanted to nurse...but I guess not.

It isn't really a big deal..she's over 5 months now and if she weans herself, fine by me. We usually don't wean until late Nov or early Dec..so it's quite a bit earlier than we typically do. Just curious if that's a normal behavior

Chloe is the same as she was earlier today. She still hasn't had a BM...just a tiny one when she came in the barn early this morning. How long before all that mineral oil should kick in? She did drink a bucket of water... I am going to drench her in a little while.

[Jenn]

My vet recommends banamine for pain as it will also help with appetite.
-Jenn

[Claire]

Did the vet check the other end to see if she's constipated? I would think the oil would work it's way through in 12 hours or less- since her digestion is shut down it will take longer than normal.

[Kerri]

Other than taking her temp (which was actually below normal) he didn't do anything at her back end. He listened thoroughly to her with a stethescope and palpated externally, but nothing internal. He did the famous ping on the belly to listen for DA. I saved the tiny BM from this morning so I could show it to him. It did have mucous in it and he commented that it was really dark.

Never thought I would be praying for my cow to poop...I usually want them to stop pooping. life is strange sometimes (actually all the time lately )

[Kerri]

Things are not good this morning. Chloe still hasn't eaten a thing and has not pooped. I put her in a stall last night so she would be more comfortable. I moved her over to her stanchion to see if she would eat anything. She sniffed the feed and then laid right down (she was up when I got in the barn this morning). When she laid down I noticed some blood on her rectum. Not dripping out just a small amount. I wiped it off to be sure, and it was indeed bright red blood. I think this is a really bad sign...

Again, waiting for the vets office to open.

[Kerri]

Vet is on his way again. He said to me on the phone..."this is not good". Say a little prayer for my Chloe.

[Kerri]

You can move this now. We can't save her.