Dead Bull

[donnaIL]

As some of you may remember, 3 Years ago I was shopping for a Bull (RRR Rito 703), he died on Friday. We were fortunate enought to get him to the Animal Disease Lab, unfortunate t it was on a holiday weekend, decomposition was rapid

They called me today with a preliminary report, we are still waiting for some test results, but much of the tissue was not useable. He died of renal failure (renal calculi or urlithiasis). They could not tell if there was kidney stone blockage (because of decompostion) and the bladder was intact. Both Doctors told me they had never seen a case this "extreme", the entire kidney was filled with stones and he most certainly had no kidney function left. They sent some stones and liver tissue off for analysis.

I was shocked because he did not exhibit any symptoms until a few days before his death (refusing to come for feed, seemed alittle ). They said that certain animals, like people could have a pre-disposition of this; could be a feed issue; sometimes it is situational -- animals in the south seem to have more kidney stones than here...This may just be a freak incident..but would be interested in comments. I other findings when they are available.

*edited to correct spelling*

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Don't you hate it when you're the lucky one with that obscure weird problem!

 

[bigbluegrass]

This may be a stupid question, but what causes kidney stones in cattle? Is it diet related? How can you tell if a cow or bull has kidney stones?

 

[TexasBred]

From a nutritional standpoint it can be from feeding too much phosphorus or having an improper ca:p ratio in the diet. Seems to be much more common in male goats than cattle. Ammonium chloride in the diet often lowers the incidence. Lucky P the vet can probably shed more light on it than me tho.

 

[donnaIL]

Don't you hate it when you're the lucky one with that obscure weird problem!

yes

This may be a stupid question, but what causes kidney stones in cattle? Is it diet related? How can you tell if a cow or bull has kidney stones?

Texasbred answered some of the causes. The Dr also included possible predisposition or heridity, dehydration or lack of water intake, milo and corn diets can contribute to it. He also said that cattle in the south have a higher tendancy of kidney stones that where we are, that both cows and bulls get them but there is more incidence with bulls when they pass a stone due to anatomy.

There are different types of stones and he has sent some in for analysis so we might get a better idea. I have read that some of the symptoms would be blood in urine or kicking of stomach. Our bull exhibited none of these symptoms. On Monday or bull looked as if it was difficult for him to get up, I dismissed this because we had snow and ice, he was laying on a hill funny, the day before a cow was in heat and I thought perhaps he had hurt himself. Wed he was slow coming for feed and eating...on Thursday he would not eat, Friday he was dead.
We feed hay and a corn/soybean meal mix, he was probably eating 6lbs of feed per day--nothing I consider excessive.

The doctor said he'd never seen kidneys filled with stones like entirely filled with stones, they also told me they were smooth and shiny like glass (don't know if that means anything)..but they were so "extreme" that the stones alone would have left him with no kidney function resulting in death. He did not make any recommendations, wanted to wait until the analysis on the stones and tissue is done. Apparently there are different types of stones, I will get a report when the analysis is done.

I wondered if anyone else had experienced anything like this.

 

[3waycross]

This may be a stupid question, but what causes kidney stones in cattle? Is it diet related? How can you tell if a cow or bull has kidney stones?[/quote[/b]

Since you asked I will provide you with a stupid answer;They die!

sorry I couldn't help myself............... :mrgreen:

 

[dun]

This may be a stupid question, but what causes kidney stones in cattle? Is it diet related? How can you tell if a cow or bull has kidney stones?[/quote[/b]

Since you asked I will provide you with a stupid answer;They die!

sorry I couldn't help myself............... :mrgreen:

I thought it was when the held on to the rail real tight and whined and squealed

 

[3waycross]

No Dun that was you and I and a few others that did that. I passed one that was the size of a wooden match head with horns all over it that like to have kilt me a few yrs ago. :frowns:

 

[donnaIL]

You know I thought the same "they die" answer!

Bull died of "bilateral and massive and numerous renal calculi (Urolithiasis), some "Staghorn" appearance occuling renal pelvis, chronic with near complete destruction and possible renal pelvis and urethral rupture acute. Pyelonephritis and pyelitis."

Kidney Stone(s) calculi analysis, qualitative, colorimetirc.. Positive for : Phosphate, Magnesium and Ammonium.

All I can say is, I certainly didn't expect this.