I noticed one of my Hereford steers panting today. It was around 90 degrees and humid. This is the steer that hasn't totally shed his winter coat--I'm worming them this weekend and he's been on good mineral for 2 1/2 weeks now. The other Hereford steer and the 5 black heifers were not panting and they're coats are all slick and shiny--(not hairy). Other than that he seemed fine and was walking with the others grazing (although not as much because he would pant some, eat some).
I noticed one of my steers panting
- Thread starter tncattle
- Start date
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Anonymous
More than likely its just the heat and humidity combined with his retained coat. Hopefully he slicks off soon. Otherwise his gains will suffer greatly
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Anonymous
Nothing..he'll either slick off or he won't, its a genetics thing
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Anonymous
The air thru a trailer cools pretty well
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Anonymous
Take my recc with a grain of salt since I'm just a hobby farmer. Is he for sale or for your family? You said he's starting to get his summer coat, but if conditions don't improve, I would sell him pretty soon with prices the way they are. Depends on how much you are putting into him, what your conditions are, and how much time you have. The panting alone isn't a big deal in my book
it could be respritory too !! i would sure give him something before he gets any worse or have him looked at. you dont see very many hang their tongue out unless they are worked in the heat or have a sensitivity to fescue rough coat and hot .
If he's acting as you describe now, in my experience it is very likely on some really hot day you will find him dead. I'd ship him now and eliminate that possibility.
I would give him an anti-inflamatory and 4 rounds of Nuflor or whatever your vet recommends. Even if he colls off I'll bet his breathing still sounds bad. You be the judge if it's really a heat thing or not though.
tncattle
Well-known member
I sprayed them for flies this morning at 9 am and it was already hot & humid. They were about 1/3 of a mile from the corral and he ran almost the whole way to get feed and he acted just fine. I had meds on hand but he seemed just fine. I'm still watching him close though.
