Eating Slow Down?

mycowLilly · #1 09/16/08, 12:03 PM

My Lilly cow is acting unusual... since yesterday, I noticed that she wasn't acting as perky as normal. She usually eats with a vengence... but this morning, there was still a little hay left in her bucket... which is NEVER the case... Her poops look a little softer then normal but not diahrrehea. Any ideas?

Karin L · #2 09/16/08, 12:55 PM

Call the vet.

francismilker · #3 09/16/08, 01:11 PM

What has she been vaccinated against? She could have a number of bovine illnesses. Then again, she could just have an upset stomach and need to get her rumen redeveloped. If you aren't able to get a vet out, you might give her a dose of LA-200 for a chance at "cures what ails you" and get a tube of probiotics and give her orally to get her digestive tract working good. Neither one of these treatments should be detrimental to her whether she is or is not sick with something serious.
Although I've never dealt with it personally, the sickness called anaplaz (sp?) has some of these symtoms. If not treated properly, it could get the best of your cow.

Karin L · #4 09/17/08, 10:12 PM

LA200 won't solve all the problems, there's better medicine out there than LA200. That's what the vet is for.

francismilker · #5 09/18/08, 06:19 AM

Karin,
I agree. LA200 won't solve all the problem. However, some treatment is better than no treatment. A lot of folks will try a broad spectrum medication over no medication at all.

copperhead46 · #6 09/21/08, 08:00 PM

Could it be that she is coming in heat?? Sometimes they will get a little off on the feed at that time.
P.J.

travlnusa · #7 09/24/08, 06:31 PM

First of all, hats off to you for seeing small changes. Much easier to deal with with small.

Do NOt give LA-200. At best it will mask what the problem really is.

How is milk production?

What is her temp?

How is cud chewing, how many chews per min?

Is she laying down, or standing more than before?

Has her feed changed? New hay or grain? Is hay longer or shorter lenght?

Keep in mind as daylight gets less per day, intake will drop. Cows need 14 hrs of light for max intake.

Has she calved as of late?

Watch her, and if the changes increase, call the vet.

I am not asking you to answer these questions to me, but rather, what you need to be watching so you can give your vet all the info as you can to help them in their job.