talltimber
Well-known member
Found my 3.5 yo bull Thursday and he is having some trouble in the back end. I thought at first he was stifled in his right leg, but it became evident that there was more to it. He can get up, but when he does, sometimes both back legs get out behind him, or the feet are buckled under, and struggles to get them up under him. When he does finally get things together he can stand for a good bit of time. Eats good, drinks good, hobbles/drags around to pick.
Called vet and explained to him:
On the same pasture, for a long period, of fescue/clover with hi-mag mineral available, so doubtful grass tetany
Possible cow in heat with him at the time, but now moved
I did not get ahold of Doc until Friday morning, so a couple days had went by, so he didn't think it was Anaplasmosis
We had given him aspirin the evening of Thursday and Friday morning early, for lack of a better idea until we talked to Doc
Doc explained that, although usually seen in older bulls, it's not uncommon for a tumor to put pressure on the spinal column, effectively paralyzing them.
He also said that, with his age, he would likely suspect a traumatic injury. He prescribed Dexamethasone, my first experience using it, three days straight then every other day.
I talked with Dad last night about him and he asked if he was bug eyed, which I had thought he was a little a couple times. Not like popping out the socket, but more like, I figured, he was a little scared and unsure about what was going on. Dad said he and my Grandpa had 2 or 3 bulls over the years that had that happen. One they got loaded and to the local locker and got a call back later that he was no good for them and if they could do anything with him.
Have any of you all had some experiences similar to this and what was the outcome? Have you heard of this tumor thing being that common and do you cull older bulls because of it, trying to avoid this?
Called vet and explained to him:
On the same pasture, for a long period, of fescue/clover with hi-mag mineral available, so doubtful grass tetany
Possible cow in heat with him at the time, but now moved
I did not get ahold of Doc until Friday morning, so a couple days had went by, so he didn't think it was Anaplasmosis
We had given him aspirin the evening of Thursday and Friday morning early, for lack of a better idea until we talked to Doc
Doc explained that, although usually seen in older bulls, it's not uncommon for a tumor to put pressure on the spinal column, effectively paralyzing them.
He also said that, with his age, he would likely suspect a traumatic injury. He prescribed Dexamethasone, my first experience using it, three days straight then every other day.
I talked with Dad last night about him and he asked if he was bug eyed, which I had thought he was a little a couple times. Not like popping out the socket, but more like, I figured, he was a little scared and unsure about what was going on. Dad said he and my Grandpa had 2 or 3 bulls over the years that had that happen. One they got loaded and to the local locker and got a call back later that he was no good for them and if they could do anything with him.
Have any of you all had some experiences similar to this and what was the outcome? Have you heard of this tumor thing being that common and do you cull older bulls because of it, trying to avoid this?