Strange-Down with milk fever and then up and RUNNING!

[Farmer Kitty]

we have a friend (who used to raise dairy, but now has about 140 head of beef) who gives a quart of maple syrup to cow with milk fever. Ever tried that? Not sure what it all entails (calcium, sugar?) but he swears by it........

With milk fever or ketosis?
Milk fever is low on calcium.
Ketosis is low blood glucose levels.

From: Merck Vet. Manual
Ketosis is usually characterized by a dullness, typically during the first 6 wk after calving, and is seen primarily in dairy cows. Occasionally, such cows are highly excitable and blood glucose is decreased, whereas ketones and free fatty acids are increased. It is proposed that the major causative factor is an inadequate supply of glucose precursors to maintain adequate blood glucose levels.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Hey you guys, Have another prolbem. We finally got our rain so that makes everthing green. It been raining since monday and still is. When I went out yesterday afternoon to feed the cows It was rain somewhat hard. So I used an umbellra. I think I scaced Reba. She somewhat jumped back Slid on the went ground, but what was odd is that it was like a drunk move. Then she kinda look at me like she was in space. She eat her food, but then I notice she was walking backward alot. Very slow. So I just thought she must be spooked still. When I got bac from 4-h I checked on her. This time I just went out there with no unbrella getting wet. But I didn't want to scare her again. She still is lossing her balance she still is standing. And of course Sara-lu is being very cauntions of her. She stand between me and Reba, Like she doesn't want me to get near her. I listen all night to the rain and worried about Reba. I was listen for any mooing. This morning I got up and went out there. Was glad to see that she was in the barn laying down and out of the rain. She walk very slow to her dish but did eat. But I've been watching her still and when sh walked up to the water tank very slow again and wobble, Drink water and then started walking backwards, and loseing her balance,What is wrong. If I could film her I would have so I could get you guys a better out look of this. Or should I call the vet. Which we don't have one. For large animals in the area. Please tell me this is'nt serious, My hubby says she might have an ear infection, or water in the ear because of the rain?????????

I'm wondering if she hurt herself when she spooked. Why she would continue to walk backwards? I don't know, unless she doesn't want to turn her back on that "thing".

If she hurt her leg she's not going to want to put anymore weight on it than she has to and that will cause her to be off balance.

I've never had one get water in their ears due to rain and have trouble. Their ears are built in such a way that I don't think that is a problem. Ear infection? I would think she would be holding her head funny if it was bad enough to cause her to loose balance. But, that is something you can check. If she has an ear infection that bad, I would think, the ear should stink

 

[m.holloway]

Well I'll try to check her ears when I go out to feed the 5;30 feeding. and I'll look at her back legs to see if I can see something. The only problem with that if sara-lu is not going to bump me away. She knows that there is something wrong. I"ll keep watching. And as long as she keeps eating and drinking I'll take that as a good thing. Thanks the advice. I'll keep posting more after dinner.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Well I'll try to check her ears when I go out to feed the 5;30 feeding. and I'll look at her back legs to see if I can see something. The only problem with that if sara-lu is not going to bump me away. She knows that there is something wrong. I"ll keep watching. And as long as she keeps eating and drinking I'll take that as a good thing. Thanks the advice. I'll keep posting more after dinner.

They were both shown so they are halter broke, tie Sara-lu so she's not pushing you away. That is not safe. You may need to halter and tie Reba to check her out. Depending on her mood and what she is willing to allow you to do.

 

[m.holloway]

Well, bad news for the halter's they both have bigger heads and they don't fit. So I can't go that way. But I went ahead and gave them more feed. Sara-lu didn't stop for that. So I was able to get Reba in the coral and close the gate. She still won't let be get to near. And is still backing up. And she rocks by and forth like she trying not to lose her balance. I got down low to try to look at her legs, and hoof. And I don't see any swollen arear's or bites or cuts. I can't run my hands down her legs so I can't feel for any bump's Which if i did I wouldn't know what to feel or look for. I quess I'll just pray that it was a scare and she still afraid or maybe has a pull muscle in her back or lower back that makes her walk funny.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

You don't have a rope halter? Most here who show cattle use rope halters at home and then use a leather and chain halter to show with.

You can take a rope and make a loop in one end just big enough to go over her nose a bit. then take the other end and run it through the loop until you have another loop about the size to go from her nose and around her ears. Hold it so the loose end is on the opposite end from where it comes off the loop. You now have an improvised halter. Loop the big loop over her ears and the small loop that you tied over her nose.

 

[laughingllama75]

Milk fever is low on calcium.
Ketosis is low blood glucose levels.

From: Merck Vet. Manual
Ketosis is usually characterized by a dullness, typically during the first 6 wk after calving, and is seen primarily in dairy cows. Occasionally, such cows are highly excitable and blood glucose is decreased, whereas ketones and free fatty acids are increased. It is proposed that the major causative factor is an inadequate supply of glucose precursors to maintain adequate blood glucose levels

I will have to put a call into him, now I'm curious. I thought he said milk fever......but, sounds like Ketosis. It may be a few days before I get back to you on this, he is a busy man (no time fr computers, like us...LOL)

 

[m.holloway]

hey farmer kitty, well i just got in from feeding and putting up the funny farm. the chicken are wet to the bones, but they are all in the coop. then i went to the barn to check on reba. they were both laying down when i went in there, it's pouring here now. so i was glad that they got out of the rain. sara- lu got up to eat but reba just layed there. so i just gave her the pan next to her and she eat that way. I'll give it a 1/2 hour. hope the rain has stop and go see if she got up. being that she's eating i think that good????
I have water in there too so she doesn't have to walk far if maybe that all she has is a sore muscle. I know i don't like to move when my muscle hurt. Well i better go get dinner started before I have to go check on reba. thanks again.

 

[m.holloway]

ok dinner is still cooking checked on reba she up again. So I'm going for she has a sore or pulled muscle.????? Still wallking backwards though , I'll post you guys in the moring when I do the 6;30 feeding. Hope the rain is not around then!

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Can you see her from the house when she outside? I'm wondering if she walks backwards all the time or just when you're around. The being afraid of the umbrella that you had thing.

Eating and drinking is a good thing. I'm leaning toward an injury.