Jersey Problem????

[Rockfish]

Okay, my Jersey started panting abnormally this afternoon/evening. She's not very purposeful today and didn't mow this evening or this morning (even though we were 1/2 late milking this morning.) Usually she lets us know when its time.

She's eating her hay and grain. She peeing okay.

She didn't follow me into the stall as usual tonight for milking, but no resistance when I walked her in. And she ate.

We got 4+ gallons today (off 3 functional quarters) as usual.

The only other unusual thing-and this is weird-is that she wanted to lick my rawhide gloves tonight in my waistband (usually the cows don't like the raw hide) and when I tossed the rawhide gloves over the fence she started in on my leather boots. That's unusual.

Nothing funny to eat.

I am just a little worried about the panting-she sort of rocks back and forth as she pants. We thought she was frothing a little, but it is a clear, wet discharge from here nose.

Yeh its hot today, but not unusual and she has shade and plenty of water.

Am I worried over nothing, or is there something here?

Thanks.

[farmergirl]

Has there been dramatic fluctuation in the weather there lately? It *sounds* like it might be the start of pneumonia. In my experience, it comes on fast and out of nowhere sometimes, even with grown cows. If I were you, I'd give her a jab of penicillin, and discard the milk for the next week.

[gone-a-milkin]

Also wouldnt be a bad idea to put a magnet in her.

[Rockfish]

If its pneumonia, am I tossing the milk because of the penicillan or the pneumonia , AND if I pasturize the milk, can/should we keep it.

Symptons only started tonight during milking. Usually we don't pasturize-is this morning's milk safe?

I heard about the magnet too. She spent some time at a dairy farm, so may have magnet in her as I hear its standard practice.

Thanks.

Oh yeh, ever hear of the rawhide thing? That just seemed weird or that she is missing a nutrient.

[agmantoo]

Are you feedihg a mineral supplement and loose salt free choice? If not, do so. What type grass is she eating? If it is fescue take her off it for a while.

[gone-a-milkin]

The milk will only be tossed because of antibiotics. Tonights milk should be just fine to use.

I wonder about the minerals too.

[Farm 36]

If you are treating her for pneumoia and the milk is good you can use the milk for drinking or Ice cream if no one is alegic to antibotics. You have to very careful if someone comes over then you should not serve them the treated milk . Don't throw stones at me the milk is good it just can't be used for a product that need bacteria like cheese or yogort. Take her temp and see if that is above 102 while her body is at normal time (not out in the sun).Usually the milk will drop then get sick and if you took her temp every milking you would find that when the temp is up she will be sick later or off feed with less milk .

[Rockfish]

First, thanks for all the advice. (Yes, she has free access to a trace salt/mineral block.)

Here's what's been going on.

She is still on her food (grain and hay and grass) and water.
Her milk production has not changed.
Runny nose was temporary. Gone now, but some foaming at mouth.

Afternoon and evenings she still pants (rocking to and fro), but in the mornings, she seems okay.

Obtained a thermometer on Monday. Here are the temps:
Monday:
6:30 PM (right after grain ration and milking) 104.8 F
8:30 PM - 104.5 F

Tuesday
6:00 AM (before milking) 102 F
1:00 PM 104 F

Have called the vet's office giving him the specifics. Am awaiting his return phone call.

Thanks.

[Farm 36]

Your cow is getting to hot where she is located a fan or water on her should help cool her down . Putting water on her you have to becarful because you can make it worse if done wrong . In WI we soak the cows so water runs off if we mist the cow will get a blanket of water on the outside of the hair and she will get hotter.

[Rockfish]

Farm 36: My vet agrees with you. I think overheating was it. Boy the first time things happen you don't know what to do. Thanks all!