Post by catherine on Mar 1, 2008 4:13:44 GMT -5
Hey Guys: I have several questions about wormy heifers and organic treatments.
As some of you may know, our Milking Devon came from several different farms, all in drought zones. Several arrived in good shape, but most were really pretty skinny. One, in particular, was a mess, and still is. Her name is Velma, and she's coming up on a year old. She's not skin and bones, but she's got several ribs showing. She has one eye with a cloudy spot, as she apparently had pink eye before we got her. During her trip to us, there was a several day stop over at the hauler's home, and she exhibited signs of pneumonia, he thought, so he took her to his vet, along with several of his own animals. He also told me how shocked he was to see how "skint" she was! The Vet thought she had pneumonia, as well, and they gave her some anti-biotic shot. She arrived in our pasture, and has had a dirty tail off and on ever since...2 1/2 months, now. This one heifer is the most skittish of them all, and the only one that none of us is able to get near. All the others will eat feed from a bucket, while we pet them, but not Velma! She seemed to be eating, but always out on the edge of the herd, well away from me.
The fact that she's not been gaining weight like the others, and then the periodically dirty tail...well, I figured she probably had worms, as she's not a baby having scours. Not being able to get close enough to treat her individually, 2 weeks ago I began giving the entire herd DE in with Thorvin Kelp and Redmond Conditioner...free choice. Last Sunday, I also put Apple Cider Vinegar, Basic H, Molasses and more DE in their water trough.
Today, I noticed one really odd "cow pat", if you could call it that. I can't say for sure that it was Velma's, but I think it probably was. It was completely clear, showing no grass or other digested matter. It was just mucous, I think. Sorry to be gross, but it had what looked like 2 or 3 thick clear balls, about the size of marbles in it. They may have had small "beads" of clear, inside them, but I couldn't be sure while I poked it with a stick. My son says he didn't see any. There was also one red ball of the same size. It had a few of what looked like rice grains on it, which I figured were worms. I poked the red ball (looked like maybe blood) but it didn't seem to "bleed" when I broke it open. Also, the "rice" didn't move at all.
So...is this just a sign of more worms. Or is it possibly a sign that my "worming" is working? Velma used to hang back when all the others crowded around to eat hay or whatever. Today is the first time she's ever gotten in the line up to eat hay with the rest of the herd, instead of hanging back! She even ate hay with me standing right in front of her!
This afternoon, I redosed the water trough with more ACV, Basic H and several Homeopathic remedies. I reeeeeally want to stay organic, if at all possible, but I'm worried about this heifer. She's just not healthy, and I'm concerned about her passing stuff to the others, too. I got some Brewer's Yeast, to possibly add to their feed for B Vitamins, and also some Probiotics to add for digestive enzymes. What would you guys think is going on, and what would you advise? Thanks! C.
As some of you may know, our Milking Devon came from several different farms, all in drought zones. Several arrived in good shape, but most were really pretty skinny. One, in particular, was a mess, and still is. Her name is Velma, and she's coming up on a year old. She's not skin and bones, but she's got several ribs showing. She has one eye with a cloudy spot, as she apparently had pink eye before we got her. During her trip to us, there was a several day stop over at the hauler's home, and she exhibited signs of pneumonia, he thought, so he took her to his vet, along with several of his own animals. He also told me how shocked he was to see how "skint" she was! The Vet thought she had pneumonia, as well, and they gave her some anti-biotic shot. She arrived in our pasture, and has had a dirty tail off and on ever since...2 1/2 months, now. This one heifer is the most skittish of them all, and the only one that none of us is able to get near. All the others will eat feed from a bucket, while we pet them, but not Velma! She seemed to be eating, but always out on the edge of the herd, well away from me.
The fact that she's not been gaining weight like the others, and then the periodically dirty tail...well, I figured she probably had worms, as she's not a baby having scours. Not being able to get close enough to treat her individually, 2 weeks ago I began giving the entire herd DE in with Thorvin Kelp and Redmond Conditioner...free choice. Last Sunday, I also put Apple Cider Vinegar, Basic H, Molasses and more DE in their water trough.
Today, I noticed one really odd "cow pat", if you could call it that. I can't say for sure that it was Velma's, but I think it probably was. It was completely clear, showing no grass or other digested matter. It was just mucous, I think. Sorry to be gross, but it had what looked like 2 or 3 thick clear balls, about the size of marbles in it. They may have had small "beads" of clear, inside them, but I couldn't be sure while I poked it with a stick. My son says he didn't see any. There was also one red ball of the same size. It had a few of what looked like rice grains on it, which I figured were worms. I poked the red ball (looked like maybe blood) but it didn't seem to "bleed" when I broke it open. Also, the "rice" didn't move at all.
So...is this just a sign of more worms. Or is it possibly a sign that my "worming" is working? Velma used to hang back when all the others crowded around to eat hay or whatever. Today is the first time she's ever gotten in the line up to eat hay with the rest of the herd, instead of hanging back! She even ate hay with me standing right in front of her!
This afternoon, I redosed the water trough with more ACV, Basic H and several Homeopathic remedies. I reeeeeally want to stay organic, if at all possible, but I'm worried about this heifer. She's just not healthy, and I'm concerned about her passing stuff to the others, too. I got some Brewer's Yeast, to possibly add to their feed for B Vitamins, and also some Probiotics to add for digestive enzymes. What would you guys think is going on, and what would you advise? Thanks! C.