Tempting sick cow to eat

Shadow

Member
Location
South Wales
Any suggestions?

The cow in question is too lively to tube safely and is drinking from a bucket and will lick a mineral block but we are struggling to get her eating. We have tried several types of silage, beef nuts, fresh grass and even horse chaff and she will take a mouthful or two but then lose interest.

Is there anything I can give her to stimulate appetite or that is impossible for a cow to resist?
 

Flossie

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Lancs
Any suggestions?

The cow in question is too lively to tube safely and is drinking from a bucket and will lick a mineral block but we are struggling to get her eating. We have tried several types of silage, beef nuts, fresh grass and even horse chaff and she will take a mouthful or two but then lose interest.

Is there anything I can give her to stimulate appetite or that is impossible for a cow to resist?
Is she new calved? What's caused her to go off her grub?
 

Flossie

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Lancs
Bit of a mystery really. She went down with what we thought was pneumonia but vet says there is pleural inflammation and symptoms match fog fever but with a raised temperature.
I take it she's on AB's for that lot? Have you a crush you can get her in? Pump her up with a Pro-rumen in 20 litres of warm water, a bottle of glucose in the vein and (I think) a shot of steroids to try and kick start the rumen. Have you seen her cudding?
 

Shadow

Member
Location
South Wales
I take it she's on AB's for that lot? Have you a crush you can get her in? Pump her up with a Pro-rumen in 20 litres of warm water, a bottle of glucose in the vein and (I think) a shot of steroids to try and kick start the rumen. Have you seen her cudding?
Yes it has taken 3 different ABs to get on top of it :(

Unfortunately I don't think we could get her as far as the crush, she is pretty wobbly on her legs. Not seen cudding but last dropping was tiny but normal looking. Vet was reluctant to use steroids at this stage but will ask about glucose. Thanks :)
 
Yes it has taken 3 different ABs to get on top of it :(

Unfortunately I don't think we could get her as far as the crush, she is pretty wobbly on her legs. Not seen cudding but last dropping was tiny but normal looking. Vet was reluctant to use steroids at this stage but will ask about glucose. Thanks :)
How have u been jabbing her? If sbe can't get to crush? If you can grab her nose u can pump her imo
 
Any suggestions?

The cow in question is too lively to tube safely and is drinking from a bucket and will lick a mineral block but we are struggling to get her eating. We have tried several types of silage, beef nuts, fresh grass and even horse chaff and she will take a mouthful or two but then lose interest.

Is there anything I can give her to stimulate appetite or that is impossible for a cow to resist?
Calf coarse starter mix is what we got a cow to skowly nibble once
 

bovine

Member
Location
North
If she's not in calf she needs some steroids. Vet should check blood glucose and ketones. Get some glycol into her and possibly pro rumen.
 

Shadow

Member
Location
South Wales
How have u been jabbing her? If sbe can't get to crush? If you can grab her nose u can pump her imo
She is lying down most of the time so we have jabbed her where she is. She is, um, feisty to put it politely and now she is feeling better is throwing her head around if we try and get hold of her. Might have to just get an extra body on the job and get on with it but now she is drinking I don't want to risk making her throat sore so would rather persuade her to eat by herself
 

Flossie

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Lancs
Yes it has taken 3 different ABs to get on top of it :(

Unfortunately I don't think we could get her as far as the crush, she is pretty wobbly on her legs. Not seen cudding but last dropping was tiny but normal looking. Vet was reluctant to use steroids at this stage but will ask about glucose. Thanks :)
Get a halter on her and lash it to a gate or something secure in the pen :)
You need to see her cudding. That's the sign of a happy cow imo. You can see them eating, but a tiny muck points to them just existing. You want cudding and a big round pat at the other end.
 

Shadow

Member
Location
South Wales
Get a halter on her and lash it to a gate or something secure in the pen :)
You need to see her cudding. That's the sign of a happy cow imo. You can see them eating, but a tiny muck points to them just existing. You want cudding and a big round pat at the other end.
A big round pat would make me very happy! There is nothing to tie to in the shed but could take the telehandler in and lash to that I guess
 

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