New Steer Still Has Watery Cow Pies

DenMacII · #1 04/15/12, 11:40 PM

Earlier this year we were looking to add two new head to our existing two head of cattle. I located two from the same farm. Both are nine months old - one steer and one young bull. I visited the farm twice to check on their stock and the animals that I was purchasing, and everything looked fantastic. On the day I picked them up both of them had the runs at the seller's ranch. I assumed that it was the stress of putting them in the chute, etc. After about two weeks at our farm, one of the two had normal looking cow pies coming out the back end, but the other is still running loose-watery cow pies, and his tail is keeping pretty caked up - even with all of our rain lately. This steer is otherwise looking very alert, active, and healthy. All four of our head get along together real well, and are eating real well. I'm not really sure what would be affecting this steer for the past four weeks since he arrived. We have not been experiencing any extended duration of watery cow pies with our cattle before, and it appears that this one may have brought it with him.

Any ideas or suggestions on what might be going on here?

myersfarm · #2 04/15/12, 11:44 PM

What I always ask...Whats his Temp. ?

DenMacII · #3 04/15/12, 11:50 PM

I have not taken his temp. He is friendly, so he has pressed his nose to the back of my hand, and licked me. I didn't notice any difference in warmth from his nose/tongue compared to my 5 month old heifer's nose and tongue. I will look to get a more accurate reading!

myersfarm · #4 04/15/12, 11:54 PM

should be right at 101.3 ...at that age close to it

G. Seddon · #5 04/16/12, 07:45 AM

Coccidia possibly. Get a fecal test done on the one with loose manure, and then you'll know for sure.