rc mx110
Member
Fog fever case we had, cow went gradually down hill over few weeks even after being shut in and getting hay, after vets advice.
Thats not to say they do just drop tho
Unexplained cattle deaths
- Thread starter Kevtherev
- Start date
Thats not to say they do just drop tho
I'd be amazed if I couldn't get you a diagnosis with 3 sudden death cows to go at.
The problem comes when people want to send chronic cases and the initial pathology is long gone, or complicated by treatment. I'd open these myself on farm, the cost should be very reasonable, even if some limited lab testing was needed.
More to life
Member
- Location
- Somerset
I take it you have had a bad day.
multi power
Member
- Location
- pembrokeshire
@Kevtherev staggers tends to go with lush fast growing grass. When the grass is growing very fast not enough magnesium can be taken up.
- Location
- Ceredigion, wales
Fair enough. Would you say it was right for the farmer to be charged full whack for a PM with inconclusive results? (fresh carcass not half rotting). I think the cost puts many farmers off because there's often no definite result.
- Location
- Welshpool Powys
Yes usually a spring problem that why I thought it odd this time of year?
Northeastfarmer
Member
- Location
- Cleveland
As mentioned above could be fog fever
It's one of those things where if you have the work done then (IMO) you should pay for it. You still have to pay for bad news.
Since the government slashed the budget and crippled the VI/VLA/AHVLA/APHA (government supported vet labs) we have done a hell of a lot more PMs and it is rare not to get a useful diagnosis. There are issues with the strict criteria used to come up with a diagnosis with the government system. I've linked the AHDB supported post mortem project in the NE looking at fallen stock samples, with a diagnosis in more than 4 out of 5 animals.
I share your frustration with the government PM labs.
Anonymous...
Member
Unfortunately we lost a cow she went down with staggers whilst calving three weeks back
Broke her pelvis and killed calf as it was half way out
Been feeding straw in ring feeders since
They have mag lick buckets but there's been a real flush of autumn grass which is wet and passes through the cow very quickly
Just my thoughts, I am no expert!
- Location
- Welshpool Powys
Oh though this thread was pointless?
Quite interesting
Quite interesting
it is until we know why they died. Utterly pointless. Lets guess what is wrong and make some random management changes..........
marco
Member
- Location
- tipperary, ireland
Kev, i know you think this thread might be a wast of time but............ i'm a little bit off the wall with my thoughts but here it goes, my first tought was magnesium deficiency and it would be the first thing id look at put out high mg licks and put mg in the water and feed. But my second theory is that only a theory, did he trow the kitchen sink at this "reseed"? i.e has he put on a huge amount of N and K? Maybe he put on heaps of n and k and then spread slurry on it as well? the problem could well be that his stock are dying from salt poisoning. let me explain when you combine n and k you get potassium nitrate, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_nitrate
If your man is feeding salt as part of his mineral supplements stop straight away. and start feeding high mg suplements.
I could be talking nonsence but i'd definatly try.
More than likely hes pushed the K levels in the soil above the mg levels.
he'll also need to spread kieserite to sort it properly.
I could be wrong but its an idea to look at.
regards
mark
- Location
- Welshpool Powys
Thanks very helpful I'll tell him his vets are on the case at the moment but I haven't had chance to explain yet....
marco
Member
- Location
- tipperary, ireland
What the f**k are you talking about? The man asked for ideas as to what the problem might be. so if someone replys with a few ideas he can look and eleliminate them one by one either trough blood tests or whatever. hes looking for help to try and find what to look for.
Your smart idea is to wait is it?
- Location
- Welshpool Powys
He's turned the cows off the reseed until he gets the result as to what it is.
- Location
- South wales
God forbid a new member with little experience dares come on Tff and ask advice along the lines of this tread
- Location
- South wales
So asking opinions and advice is stupid oh well best all stop logging on here then
multi power
Member
- Location
- pembrokeshire
It can also be an issue in cold wet weather, they need more mag then, also as said if a lot of K then mag can get locked up
One clue to staggers is there can be a lot of kicking and scraping the ground when they go down. Oh and they die quick. Seldom see a cow with staggers that's still alive. Easy and safe enough putting mag in water trough, but the days they really need it they probably won't drink much