Sick Bull

[TxCoUnTrYbOy]

I was out of town for about a week at the National FFA Convention, and my dad was taking care of my bull for the time. When I got back today, my bull had the runs pretty bad and hasnt been eating much feed. Also he seems to be kind of dragging, not moving around much. My ag teacher said to give him some penicillin, but I dont know how much to give a 900lb brahman bull and if that would even be the best thing to give him. Any suggestions? Would a vet be the best bet? Thanks.

 

[OldTex]

Don't your ag teacher know enough to tell you how much to give him.
If not he needs to look for another job.

 

[Craig-TX]

Have you taken his temp? That would be a good first step and help you determine whether it's worth worrying about.

Craig-TX

 

[TheBullLady]

Seems like a lot of pnuemonia going around Texas.. check his temperature and go from there. If it is pnuemonia, penicillin would not be my first ( or second, or third) choice of medication. Baytril, Nuflor, or Sulfa boluses would be possibilities.

Don't wait to determine what's wrong with him.. Brahmans are wimpy, so if he's looking droopy, he doesn't feel good.

 

[TxCoUnTrYbOy]

Bulls are new to him too. He has raised steers in the past, but he has no experience with bulls, other than riding them. He hasnt even seen my bull yet to be able to see anything wrong. Also I wanted to get the suggestions from the people who have lots of experience and really know a lot about stuff like this. I figure the only place that I could get better information than here is the vet, but dont want to spend the money if it is not needed.

 

[TxCoUnTrYbOy]

Something I just thought of, could it be something he caught last weekend at a show I took him to? Is pneumonia something he could have caught easily at a show?

 

[Beefy]

Give the guy a break. He's an Ag Teacher, not a Vet.

TCB-
If you do give him something, there is a dosage on the bottle. it tells you how much to give and how to administer. ALWAYS read the label.

I recommend having someone who can actually see the bull and knows cattle look at him unless you just have the money to pay for a vet. it could be anything from a change in feed (including lush grass), to a change in weather, a cold, having just been dewormed, etc. This board isnt really a good way to diagnose illnesses since we cant see the animal and even if we could we still might not be able to tell what is wrong. [/quote]

 

[TxCoUnTrYbOy]

Think it may possibly be from too much hay? I usually give him some every other day or so, and my dad started giving him every day. Feed is the same, grass is the same, weather is the same, wasnt just dewormed, everything was the same except the hay. Could it be from all the flies weve been getting lately? The last couple weeks the flies have been just out of control swarming his feed, and everything in his pen.

 

[Texan]

Think it may possibly be from too much hay?

TCB, you may be on to something there. A change in feed could cause the symptoms you describe. To be on the safe side, do like Craig and The Bull Lady suggested and check his temp. If he has an elevated temperature, go talk to your vet about a shot for him. By elevated temp, I mean >101.5-102 if taken early in the morning, although you would expect that to be higher if taken later in the day. That is my standard for elevated temps. Others may have a different idea, but it shouldn't vary by more than a degree or so.

Like The Bull Lady said, there are so many things better than penicillin nowadays. My personal preference is Micotil, but a safer product might be best for you. Take your vet's advice on the best treatment! Then, share what you've learned with your ag teacher to help him give better advice in the future.

 

[TheBullLady]

TCB.. DEFINATELY could be something he picked up at the show last weekend! The young man that's showing the steer and heifer from me had both of his come down with something when they got home.

Shipping fever is not out of the question also, since you've been hauling him.

He's worth a vet call!

 

[TxCoUnTrYbOy]

Today he seemed more energetic, and eating his feed, but still had the runs really bad. He ate all of his feed last night. I didnt get to the computer before then, so I will be checking tonight.

 

[ollie]

What kind of hay are you feeding TCB?

 

[TxCoUnTrYbOy]

coastal bermuda is what they told me.

 

[Fleckvieh DPB]

keep him eating
check him regularly
take his temp on a regular basis. and record.
if it keeps going up u know somthings not rite. mite want to consult a vet on what treatment.
if it starts coming down to the nornal then u know ur on the rite track.

hang in there.
do the best u can

al :cboy:

 

[Scotty]

I'm sorry Beefy but as an ex ag teacher that is not a valid excuse.(Giving him a break.) You don't give kids advise without turning it into an educational experience. That is is whole purpose of having an animal project is to learn from the whole experience. TCB the drug bottles give dosage rating on them. If this is the case were your ag teacher is not paying you any mind It may be time to change something. This is your parents and your call.

Scotty

 

[certherfbeef]

I'm sorry Beefy but as an ex ag teacher that is not a valid excuse.(Giving him a break.) You don't give kids advise without turning it into an educational experience. That is is whole purpose of having an animal project is to learn from the whole experience. TCB the drug bottles give dosage rating on them. If this is the case were your ag teacher is not paying you any mind It may be time to change something. This is your parents and your call.

Scotty

Very, very good Scotty. Thank you for speaking up. This is exactly what Old Tex was getting at.