Groans when laying down

[Down in Dixie]

I have a steer I am feeding out and every time he lays down to rest he keeps his head up and groans a little. He burps often too when he does this. He has been doing this for over a month and can't figure out why. Tried to put a video but maybe 20 seconds is too long. I will try and get a shorter video to post

 

[coachg]

Us fat folks do that sometimes.

 

[Dave]

Us fat folks do that sometimes.

I mostly groan when I stand up.

 

[MurraysMutts]

Is he still eating well??

Looks like he's taking a poop laying down too.

 

[TCRanch]

My first thought is hardware. Wouldn't hurt to give him a magnet. One of the signs is a cow (or in your case, steer) that keeps her head elevated when lying down for better air flow. Aforementioned poop looks a little hard and chunky as well. Any other symptoms?

The video thing? I can't post one for the life of me unless it's something copied from YouTube or Facebook. There was a thread a while back about it and still didn't make sense.

 

[wbvs58]

Might have a throat issue.

Ken

 

[Down in Dixie]

He eats fine and haven't been around enough to watch for poop. His appointment is in October so don't really want to do anything unless it's absolutely needed. I almost think it is a throat issue like wbvs58 said. Going to try and watch him more and see if I can see him chew his cud. He may have an issue regurgitating and that's why he is groaning and burping like he is. He acts fine when standing and only acts up when laying down.

 

[kenny thomas]

Just like a fat man snoring when he lays down.

 

[alacowman1]

Sure looks healthy

 

[coachg]

Looks like he would eat good !

 

[wbvs58]

One of my young bulls this week was coming up to the feeder making a hell of noise coming from his throat area probably going on for 5 days but he seemed OK, had a good appetite and I didn't feel like putting my arm down his neck so I left him, today he seems to be back to normal.

Ken

 

[Down in Dixie]

Well I have a cow doing the same thing. Groans and burps some only when she lays down. Trying to post a 6 second video but can't figure it out.

 

[Down in Dixie]

 

[alacowman1]

looks like she's breathing pretty hard..what scares me is pneumonia..but this heat is pretty brutal..and they all fighting for air

 

[WFfarm]

Could he have a bit of bloat?

 

[kenny thomas]

View attachment 48639

Heat, humidity, and being fat im thinking. Do they have access to a pond or stream? Im guessing not.

 

[wbvs58]

Just from the photo she looks to be in a bit of distress but then it may just be the actual instant the photo was taken, a video certainly would have been best.

Ken

 

[Down in Dixie]

Heat, humidity, and being fat im thinking. Do they have access to a pond or stream? Im guessing not.

Yes they have access to some ponds. They usually don't take a dip till 4-5 in the afternoon. Usually hang out in a bottom till about 2pm and start moving back towards the house and pond around then while still staying in the shade. It's just weird how they do this only when laying down. They stand up and you would never know anything was wrong.

 

[Lucky]

Maybe the type of grass they're eating? Could the grass be drought stressed and causing a digestive issue.

 

[TCRanch]

That cow does not look good. Can you take her temp?