Question Deaths

[Joan Gregory]

Three calves that were born healthy and were nursing have died with no apparent symptoms. One did have a small amount of blood at its mouth.
About one week before a cow was found dead in the pasture. She had bedded down with the rest of the herd that night. No signs of distress or struggle could be found around the body. The calves were sired by an Angus bull and mixed breed cattle. We have had cattle struck by lightning, but the weather has been clear during the period of which I write. We live three miles north of Waco, Texas.

Thank you for any information.

J. Gregory

 

[ollie]

Seems like you're missing some clues Joan. Can you tell us more?

 

[Bez]

Autopsy?

Bez

 

[TheBullLady]

You definitely need to get a post mortum on the calves.. that's about the only way you're going to be able to determine the cause.

I'm in the Waco area myself.. I generally take all my cattle to Texas A & M's large animal clinic. They've got a wonderful vet team there.

It almost sounds like poisoning of some kind, but just grasping at straws. There are a lot of unknowns in your situation.

Good luck.

 

[cattle_gal]

Wouldn't by chance have had an old car battery(s) in that pasture at one time? The calves eat the dirt/battery casings where the battery was and bingo posioning. Like others said get an autopsy on them-asap.