Norman is dieing

mycowLilly · #1 03/25/09, 11:16 AM

I went out to check on everyone this morning and Norman is almost DEAD. OMG... I've been hysterical. No wounds no nothing... we're thinking colic? He ate last night and was just fine. No snakes this time of year. He's not moving and the only response is he blinks his eye when I rub my hand on his face! We can't get him up... I have him covered to keep warm in a trailer ... in the sun... what did I do wrong?

Saffy · #2 03/25/09, 11:18 AM

I don't know anything about cattle at all. But my heart goes out to you. Take a deep breath. Cyber hugs coming your way.

linn · #3 03/25/09, 11:41 AM

Sorry to hear this.

mycowLilly · #4 03/25/09, 12:44 PM

He's gone now. Thank you all.

postroad · #5 03/25/09, 09:05 PM

Been a bad day for calves.

lasergrl · #6 03/25/09, 09:09 PM

that happened to my two 5 month old jersey calves this fall. They did the same thing with no previous symptoms, just flat out and catotonic state. Figured pneumonia cause what else, it was a wet warm day. They went down with 48 hours of each other, watch your other cow.

r93000 · #7 03/26/09, 07:17 PM

I'm sorry to hear about this.

mycowLilly · #8 03/26/09, 08:17 PM

Thank you... about the pnemonia signs... it's been cold and dry here. Lilly is acting fine (but then so was he) ... she's eating well and honery and is better then a year and half old ... what are the symptoms of pnemonia (besides the resulting death?)

**Tiempo** · #9 03/26/09, 08:28 PM

I'm so sorry..how sad

cathleenc · #10 03/26/09, 08:43 PM

I am so sorry!

**ladycat** · #11 03/26/09, 08:50 PM

Pneumonia can hit cattle so FAST. Healthy one day and dying the next. I'm not saying that's what it was, but it sounds like it could be.

Karin L · #12 03/26/09, 09:34 PM

BRD (aka pneumonia) come in different bacterial and viral strains..the viral ones are the worst, and often the ones that will take a calf the quickest if not treated right away.
Merck Veterinary Manual on BRD has some possible types of pnuemonia that could infect cattle. Some don't hit all that fast like ladycat says, others do.

Symptoms, from mild to serious, are snotty nose, coughing, decreased feed intake, raspy breathing, resting and not chewing cud, head droopy and eyes and ears not bright and perky, lethargic, laboured breathing, high temperature, dry nose, then eventually death if not caught and treated. Best times to see if an animal is sick with pneumonia is the first signs: "frequent" coughing, and yellowy opaque snot in the calf's nose.

mycowLilly · #13 03/26/09, 11:31 PM

Thank you Karin and Ladycat for the info... he didn't have any of those signs ... and neither does Lilly. I spend a lot of time with the animals... handling one on one... and there wasn't any of that. He was perfect the night before...eating like a little "cow" and just fine. Eyes bright, head high... and giving Lilly grief.

She's doing well today - she was VERY excited to see the food bucket coming tonight... and chased me from one corner to the next with her cute "skip". She's mooing strong and still upset, but I see that she's aligned herself and hanging out with our little girls Kit and Kat (barbados sheep) that are just a few weeks old. They're in a seperate pen, but within a few feet of her. Today I caught her reaching through the corral to lick their pen... it was pretty funny. I'm looking for another companion for her... she has been really lonely today.

Someone has information on Dexters where my parents live... and I'm going down that way tomorrow. I'm hoping I can make arrangements for a visit to see what/if they have anything and take a look at the Dexters to see if it's what I'm looking for. I'd like another young bull calf... that I can steer a bit later... just in case I can't find anyone to do the AI. I'll talk with these folks tomorrow since they're in the area...