New herd - runny nose, watery eyes

[bhawk]

I am a rookie at owning and caring for cattle and would appreciate some advice. Had 6 12 month old red angus heifers delivered on Sept 10th. Three days later 5 of them had runny noses and watery eyes. Its been a week and a half and 2 of them still have runny noses, although not as much drainage, but the watery eyes still persist. Early on, 2 were also exhibiting short shallow breathing ... a kind of huffing, but I have not noticed this recently.

The animals are active and are eating fine. They are not lethargic and do not appear to feel bad. The trip was about 50 miles to get to my place. I have some WW B-Dahl Bluestem grass on my place which is new to these animals. It does have a unique smell which is a little stronger at the moment since it is starting to seed out.

Below are a few pics of the symptoms. Any suggestions on what could be the cause and what, if anything, I need to do? Could the grass smell be causing this? Allergies? BRD? Pink Eye?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bhawk]

Also, they were drinking out of a trough with city water previously. I have them on a stock tank.

 

[Dsth]

I am in Iowa but the eyes look like fly irritation although I don't see flies in the pics. pinkeye usually have swelling and white cloudy look in the eye. I shot of antibiotics probably wouldn't hurt. if you are new to raising cattle, you should find out who your local vet is and contact him/her so you can establish a vet/client relationship since you will need him/her at some point in the future.

 

[GoWyo]

I am in Iowa but the eyes look like fly irritation although I don't see flies in the pics. pinkeye usually have swelling and white cloudy look in the eye. I shot of antibiotics probably wouldn't hurt. if you are new to raising cattle, you should find out who your local vet is and contact him/her so you can establish a vet/client relationship since you will need him/her at some point in the future.

What is their body temps? Around 103.8 and up is a fever. If they need antibiotics, you will need the type that requires a vet prescription. Establish a client relationship with a large animal vet. First visit could be to check these out and get them on a proper health program.

 

[wbvs58]

They look healthy to me and look like nice heifers.
Do you have working facilities?
Welcome to CT.

Ken

 

[bird dog]

I guess the first question is do you have a way to pen them up and run them thru a chute?
One thing is to watch them if they have never been in a pond before. Bogging down in the mud does sometimes happen to new animals that are not used to it.

Where exactly in McLellan county are you? I may could help you out if you get in a bind.

As far as the cows go, Giving them a antibiotic would be safe but it may very well be allergies or just dust from the trip. I have a couple animals that weep out of they eyes all summer and snotty noses are not uncommon. Breathing hard may be the first sign that they are a little sick or could be heat stressed.

 

[Brute 23]

Do you have a local vet? They will have the best odds of diagnosing while on-site.

 

[bhawk]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. Vet relationship and working pens are on my to do list. Need to get on those. Glad there was nothing of serious concern in the photos.

bird dog ... I am in the McGregor area ... yes, those ponds can be a hazard. I previously had the place leased out and during a drought when the pond was way down the guy lost a cow that got stuck in the mud. I am considering some other options for water.

 

[Lucky]

I'd let them get acclimated to the area. They probably aren't used to something and have allergies.