My bull with laminitis

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wbvs58

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This is my two year old bull. I used him last year as a yearling and noticed he was travelling a bit slow after being with the cows for about 3 weeks. His feet started changing after I put him back in the bull paddock and he got very sore. A couple of times I though I might have to shoot him however he finally improved over winter and started putting on a bit of condition and when I put him out with the cows on the 4th October he was pretty agile and has been working the girls very well but about a week ago he started to get very sore again and this is all just on grass. I don't know what grasses are causing it our cool season grasses are now finished, we had a lot of white clover again this year. What ever it is he can't handle it so he is booked to go to Warwick Saleyards on Monday and the meatworks is just around the corner from there. I am very happy with his calves from last year and should get a few next year.
In the video you can see how he has his front legs right under him as he is sore in all 4 feet just like a horse that has foundered. His distorted feet from last year did not grow out as well as heifer/cows that I have had that were similarly affected, I guess maybe because of the extra weight he carries and on going flare ups.
Any how we move on.



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Ken
 
This is my two year old bull. I used him last year as a yearling and noticed he was travelling a bit slow after being with the cows for about 3 weeks. His feet started changing after I put him back in the bull paddock and he got very sore. A couple of times I though I might have to shoot him however he finally improved over winter and started putting on a bit of condition and when I put him out with the cows on the 4th October he was pretty agile and has been working the girls very well but about a week ago he started to get very sore again and this is all just on grass. I don't know what grasses are causing it our cool season grasses are now finished, we had a lot of white clover again this year. What ever it is he can't handle it so he is booked to go to Warwick Saleyards on Monday and the meatworks is just around the corner from there. I am very happy with his calves from last year and should get a few next year.
In the video you can see how he has his front legs right under him as he is sore in all 4 feet just like a horse that has foundered. His distorted feet from last year did not grow out as well as heifer/cows that I have had that were similarly affected, I guess maybe because of the extra weight he carries and on going flare ups.
Any how we move on.



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Ken

He looks like he's walking on a longer toe to the outside of his foot. Like his larger outside toe is making his feet come down crooked. So maybe it's unusual growth making one toe larger than the other? Or swelling?

I'd think clover is a pretty rich forage and might cause a sensitive animal to have laminitis so get him off the clover. But this is all speculation from a short video and limited information so who knows. It's a shame though, he's a pretty boy.
 
Very nice looking bull. Sad for the laminitis. I have heard from some old vets years ago when I lived up north, that clover is very rich and will cause laminitis in horses and also in cattle... and in sheep and goats for that matter. It depends on the amount that is eaten and how short a time they consume it. Kinda like the eating too much candy to the point of making yourself sick..... some animals go hog wild in pastures with a flush of clover... Sounds like he might have just "overdone it" ....
I especially like the muscle definition in is hind quarters... Do alot of your bulls have that? Very impressive... Are you still raising some bulls to sell? I would buy one of your bulls in a heartbeat if you were a tad bit closer....;)
 
He looks like he's walking on a longer toe to the outside of his foot. Like his larger outside toe is making his feet come down crooked. So maybe it's unusual growth making one toe larger than the other? Or swelling?

I'd think clover is a pretty rich forage and might cause a sensitive animal to have laminitis so get him off the clover. But this is all speculation from a short video and limited information so who knows. It's a shame though, he's a pretty boy.
I was going to use him for another year, I really like his calves but knew I wouldn't be able to sell him on because of his distorted feet. It is not worthwhile mucking around with him so he can go in a box and take a boat ride to the US for your hamburgers.

Ken
 
Very nice looking bull. Sad for the laminitis. I have heard from some old vets years ago when I lived up north, that clover is very rich and will cause laminitis in horses and also in cattle... and in sheep and goats for that matter. It depends on the amount that is eaten and how short a time they consume it. Kinda like the eating too much candy to the point of making yourself sick..... some animals go hog wild in pastures with a flush of clover... Sounds like he might have just "overdone it" ....
I especially like the muscle definition in is hind quarters... Do alot of your bulls have that? Very impressive... Are you still raising some bulls to sell? I would buy one of your bulls in a heartbeat if you were a tad bit closer....;)
Jan, he was a stand out from birth, born in early July, weaned late February at 436kg, 100% grass and mothers milk. He is fairly lean as he has been working hard and I gave him minimal supplement over winter.
I only keep a couple of bull calves to develop now for my own use and then sell on to anyone that enquires. The bull in the video with my yearling heifers is a Sitz Stellar and is the one I will use on the main herd next year, he is a nice bull with good muscle.

Ken
 
I'd be concerned about using him another year. If the laminitis is a genetic defect, for him specifically, he might pass that on to this offspring. Another thing I'm wondering......you mentioned this always starts after you put him with the heifers and he's been doing his job for a few weeks?
For sure it would make already sore feet even worse with jumping on cows and putting all his weight on the back feet, but could he maybe have some skeletal problems that could show up after however many 'service jumps'?
Just curious.
Regardless, it's a shame.
 
My guess Is he needs to be in drier, harder country. He is like a pony that founders on grass in the spring. Just too much carbs or protein in the forage and he is more efficient than he needs to be for the feed he is on. Just my guess and theory. Send him to the Outback.
 
My guess Is he needs to be in drier, harder country. He is like a pony that founders on grass in the spring. Just too much carbs or protein in the forage and he is more efficient than he needs to be for the feed he is on. Just my guess and theory. Send him to the Outback.
I think you are right, he seems to be OK back in the bull paddock which is lower quality forage, a lot of lovegrass. I am sending him a bit further than the outback, he should arrive in the US early in the new year neatly packaged in a box.

Ken
 
I think you are right, he seems to be OK back in the bull paddock which is lower quality forage, a lot of lovegrass. I am sending him a bit further than the outback, he should arrive in the US early in the new year neatly packaged in a box.

Ken
I said I was interested in your bulls, but packaged like that I don't think he would be very useful in getting the cows bred....just saying...😉😉
 

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