Cow holding her head down

[Gate Opener]

I noticed this afternoon that one of the cows was holding her head down. I didn't think alot about it then but noticed that she was still doing it this evening. I watched her for a while and she will open her mouth just a little bit and move it around like something is in the wrong place. She has been eating corn cobs. I gave her some regular hay and she ate some and then back to holding her head down. Do I need to do something or just wait?

 

[Alice]

If it's bothering you enough to ask this question, I'd definitely "do something" That's what instincts are for...

Alice

 

[Gate Opener]

What do you suggest?

 

[Alice]

If you can, check her teeth and tongue. I had a calf once that continually shot his tongue out and waved it around. Turned out there was a cactus spine stuck in it. No telling what might be in the cow's tongue, gums, etc.

What would I do? I'd get it over and done with, take the cow to the vet and let him/her earn his/her living.

Alice

 

[milkmaid]

What do you suggest?

Get your hands on her and give her a thorough look-over.

 

[Gate Opener]

Our nose grabs are at the other place is there another way to open their mouths?

 

[Alice]

Not that I'd try...that cow would probably throw her head and you all over the place, unless you have 2 big men like my husband and brother and then have to listen to how bad they got the heck beat out of them.

Maybe someone else on the board can help with that question.

Myself, I'd be at the vet's and pay for the use of his/her ability, expertise and equipment...it shouldn't be that awfully much just to check it out.

Alice

 

[milkmaid]

Have a chute? Get a halter on her, tie her head around to the side so she can't fling it around, and then start looking for the problem.

Alternate option is to back her in a corner or alleyway -- depending on how easy she is to handle -- and physically grab her head and pry her mouth open. I won't say I do it on a regular basis, but I've done it often enough on the dairy cows I know it can be done, and I'm not that big or that tough.

 

[Alice]

Good point, Milkmaid...

Is this cow a dairy cow or a beef cow, gate opener?

Alice

 

[Gate Opener]

She is a beef cow. Real calm.

We went out and got her seperated from the other cows and gave her some grain which she ate with no problems and gave her some horse hay no problems. I didn't see any lumps and she acted ok. Maybe whatever it was got worked loose.

I will go back out and check on her again in a little while.

Thank you all so much I really appreciate it. I knew you would have good ideas.

P.S. I'm gonna get another set of nose clamps.

 

[Gate Opener]

Well, I spoke too soon, I went back out and she was holding her head down. She isn't working her mouth like she was. We are going to get her in the chute and check her out in the morning if she is still doing it.

 

[Alice]

Well, I spoke too soon, I went back out and she was holding her head down. She isn't working her mouth like she was. We are going to get her in the chute and check her out in the morning if she is still doing it.

Try to get it done ASAP in the morning. Most vet's offices close at noon on Saturday.

Alice

 

[cfpinz]

She has been eating corn cobs.

Has she been eating them long or just turned in on them? Bet she's either got a piece of one stuck somewhere it shouldn't be or had one stuck and still feels the ill affects. Are her lungs clear?

cfpinz

 

[Gate Opener]

We will. Ours closes at 1:30. I sure hope she is better in the am. Today we spent about $400 @ vet. Ouch.

I would think she will be okay overnight since she ate well-isn't that a good sign?

I'll probably get up in the middle of the night and check on her just in case.

 

[Gate Opener]

She has been eating corn cobs.

Has she been eating them long or just turned in on them? Bet she's either got a piece of one stuck somewhere it shouldn't be or had one stuck and still feels the ill affects. Are her lungs clear?

cfpinz

I meant corn stalks-baled. They have been eating them for about a week.

I don't hear anything just standing by her. Is that how you tell or do I need a stetoscope? I feel real stupid sometimes.

 

[cfpinz]

I've never used a stethoscope but if she had major lung problems you should be able to hear it in her breathing, raspy or labored. My Mom had a pet freemartin hfr last year that got cancer in its throat, would hold its head down like yours, but only eat small amounts of grain, and hold its head up while chewing. And its breath would knock you down, smelled worse than my feet. Cancer progressed to head and eye, wound up shooting her.

cfpinz

 

[Gate Opener]

smelled worse than my feet.
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Sorry to hear about the pet. That's bad.

We have a heads up this morning. Yea! I am so glad.
Thanks again to everyone.

I hate feeding cornstalks. I sure hope we are going to get rain in 07.

 

[Bama]

Just a quick trick so you can get a stuborn mouth open easily. Do as Milk maid explained. If you can't get the mouth open use a shorp piece of broomhandle ran in from the side. She will open and you can use it to keep it open while you look around. Most of them will open if you just use your thumb in the side.

 

[Gate Opener]

Thanks Bama.