Tempting sick cow to eat

[johnspeehs]

Probably goes against what everyone would say but we have one here at the moment, had a tramped tail and went down hill very fast, presently drinking about 2 gallons of calf milk replacer twice a day, loves it and definitely improving since we started it.

 

[ollie989898]

Probably goes against what everyone would say but we have one here at the moment, had a tramped tail and went down hill very fast, presently drinking about 2 gallons of calf milk replacer twice a day, loves it and definitely improving since we started it.

Doesn't strike me as being very rumen friendly that mind.

Propylene glycol and warm water, or even energy precursors and some pain relief etc surely better?

 

[Flossie]

Probably goes against what everyone would say but we have one here at the moment, had a tramped tail and went down hill very fast, presently drinking about 2 gallons of calf milk replacer twice a day, loves it and definitely improving since we started it.

Nothing wrong with spoiling them. If they go for it, I'll give it them! I've a heifer feeling sorry for herself at the moment, and lots of spare milk around. She goes mad for it, and has definitely got more mobile.

Have you amputated the tail?

 

[bovine]

Probably goes against what everyone would say but we have one here at the moment, had a tramped tail and went down hill very fast, presently drinking about 2 gallons of calf milk replacer twice a day, loves it and definitely improving since we started it.

ooh, 2~kg of DM, that will mend her

Glycol feeds the cow, sugar feeds the rumen bugs. A little is fine, but too much leads to acidosis and further suppression of appetite.

If the cow has improved getting milk replacer its despite treatment, not because of it.

 

[rc mx110]

Nothing wrong with spoiling them. If they go for it, I'll give it them! I've a heifer feeling sorry for herself at the moment, and lots of spare milk around. She goes mad for it, and has definitely got more mobile.

Have you amputated the tail?

Argh I was well pee'd off other day mixed 2 buckets of powder for calves, off I went to feed them but stopped to put suckler group away. Hadn't spotted 1 cow behind me and she drank 1 bucket that I had put down to open the door of the suckler shed. never thought till then a cow would still find it palatable

 

[Flossie]

Argh I was well pee'd off other day mixed 2 buckets of powder for calves, off I went to feed them but stopped to put suckler group away. Hadn't spotted 1 cow behind me and she drank 1 bucket that I had put down to open the door of the suckler shed. never thought till then a cow would still find it palatable

I know it's not good for them, or a long term answer @bovine but if it's something that pricks their ears up in the short term, then who cares, if the next step is a bullet?

 

[johnspeehs]

Nothing wrong with spoiling them. If they go for it, I'll give it them! I've a heifer feeling sorry for herself at the moment, and lots of spare milk around. She goes mad for it, and has definitely got more mobile.

Have you amputated the tail?

Yes got the vet out as soon as I saw it but could have been a while before it was noticed.
I don't care what anyone says the milk powder has made all the difference to this cow, she had little interest in eating but would knock you down for the bucket of milk but sure maybe it was just the fresh air she was taking in along with the milk.

 

[Old Boar]

Make up some porridge - just as you would for you but thicker - add a bit of sugar - just a smidge. Let it cool and make it into a pattie with dry oats on the outside. I had one that I got going again with this.
I was also told to get some cud from another cow and shove that down the sick cows throat. Did not try this though!

 

[Bury the Trash]

If the cow has improved getting milk replacer its despite treatment, not because of it.

Reverse psychology





Try some well made Lucerne Hay if you could get some

 

[Shadow]

Make up some porridge - just as you would for you but thicker - add a bit of sugar - just a smidge. Let it cool and make it into a pattie with dry oats on the outside. I had one that I got going again with this.
I was also told to get some cud from another cow and shove that down the sick cows throat. Did not try this though!

That's a way to lose fingers!! I will try the porridge though. Lots of good ideas, thanks everyone. I will let you know how we get on...

 

[Alternativedairy]

Shortish chopped straw, good dollop of molasses or pot ale? As she is tempted by the mineral bucket, perhaps some smashed up rock salt in there with a bit of maize silage? Would keep her drinking with warmer water, always perks the appetite,and I was once told live yoghurt helps...

 

[bovine]

I was once told live yoghurt helps...

Only if you have a vagina and thrush.

 

[DrWazzock]

A couple of bottles of twin lamb drench got one of ours going, then nice hay and molasses.

 

[Shadow]

Only if you have a vagina and thrush.

No comment

Well I got some Rumen Restorer from the vet and managed to get it into her with a drench gun yesterday and she ate a scoop of calf pellets mixed with some high protein freeze dried grass chaff and we found some lovely soft meadow hay that she is really tucking into today. We also put another old quiet cow in with her and the company seems to be encouraging her to eat too.

Still not seen any cudding yet but I was off farm most of today and she is definitely happier and livelier so fingers crossed we are past the worst of it

 

[ollie989898]

Shortish chopped straw, good dollop of molasses or pot ale? As she is tempted by the mineral bucket, perhaps some smashed up rock salt in there with a bit of maize silage? Would keep her drinking with warmer water, always perks the appetite,and I was once told live yoghurt helps...

I have heard natural yoghurt talked about before, particularly for calves?

 

[Alternativedairy]

Yes, great stuff for calves. Dad use to feed it to dairy calves, used to drink double the amount compared to milk and had very little, if any problems with scours.