Founder and Bentonite Clay?

[Son of Butch]

I just noticed a 475 lb steer has foundered, he's been with group on a self feeder. He wasn't ready, but I had no room to put him elsewhere. [i know my fault, i'm dumb] I gave him a Vitamin B complex shot [B1,2,6,12 niacin] and tried to call 2 different Vets to see if there was anything else I could do. Couldn't reach either as it is Saturday and after 12:00 noon.
He's so weak I was able to give him 2 shots of the Vitamin B complex without even putting the rope halter on him.
Is there anything else I can do for him?
I looked online and found "Bentonite Clay" is suppose to help detox from over eating.
I've never heard of it before. I found an organic site that sells 32 oz liquid made from Bentonite clay minerals for $22
I called them to ask...but again got recorded message to call back Monday.
Anyone have any experience with Bentonite Clay?
Any other suggestions?

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

I'm really surprised your thread hasn't gotten any posts. I'm interested to hear what the old hands on here have to say.

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like acidosis. Pull him off the feed. Put him on hay only. Maybe drench him with sodium bicarbonate/water solution.

 

[TexasBred]

Bentonite is somewhat of a preventive but not a cure. You're wasting your time with the vitamins etc. Put him on hay or grass and keep him off the feed...reintroduce him to it slowly after he gets over this round. A good dose of probios wouldn't hurt him either.

 

[Son of Butch]

YES, serious Acidosis. I've got sodium bicarb, sounds like a sensible idea, but it's dark now so I'll give it a try tomorrow.
Even if it doesn't help much at least it makes me feel like I'm trying. I found a livestock feed grade Bentonite Clay powder additive in 50 lb bags from manufacturer [40 bag minumum] But it's the weekend, so have to wait till Monday to find out if they have ever shipped any to a local feed mill. I remember 40 years ago a friends grandma would mix a raw egg and a bit of field dirt [maybe it was clay?] with a half measure of milk replacer to feed her baby dairy calves when they scoured. I never tried it or even looked at it as a serious treatment, but he always claimed she was great at raising calves.

 

[Son of Butch]

I did the obvious right away, seperated him with access to just dry grass hay.
I try to keep Vitamin B on hand and use it to give 'em a bit of a boost when off feed or after stressful calving ect., the same as when the doctor gives me a shot of vitamin B. Though I think my doctor does it just to run up the bill.
I've got probios on hand that I could give him, though I usually only give it to baby calves. Might not do much good, but it won't hurt and again makes me feel I'm doing what I can to help him.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Probias would be the 2nd thing I would do - first pull grain - hay only. If it's accidosis, the bugs in his stomach are way off - Probias puts the right bugs back into his system. Don't be bashfull - give him a bunch. I would double the recommendation - then hit him again 12 hours later.

 

[Nite Hawk]

Be aware he may have burned his stomach too..