Sugar in grass causing grey poop?

[PremierLonghorns]

My two month old calf (healthy, spunky, eating well) has a grey loose poop. I asked my vet and he said, probably the grass has a lot of sugar now with all the rain and new growth. I washed his tush with warm, soapy water and gave him an oral, electrolytes paste. The vet said, it'll probably be loose for a couple of days. He & his mama (she is pooping normal) are on grass but also have access to hay, protein/vitamin lick tubs. And he's on creep feed. Has anyone had experience with calves and grey poop? I never before heard of grass being sugary, Live and learn! Your thoughts much appreciated! Thank you

 

[Josher]

You could take a sample of the grey stuff and send it in to actually get tested to know for sure. But I would suspect coccidiosis.

 

[M.Magis]

You sure the cow isn't just making a lot of milk because of lush grass? Not sure if thats a thing with longhorns or not. But this is when I usually see the heavy milk poops.

 

[coachg]

See it all the time , especially like you said . Lush early season grass . Moms milk is probably doing it , not the calf eating the grass . As long as it's not bloody or the calf looks dehydrated would I get bad concerned .

 

[wbvs58]

He might be pigging out on the creep feed as well.

Ken

 

[Caustic Burno]

You could take a sample of the grey stuff and send it in to actually get tested to know for sure. But I would suspect coccidiosis.

Got that right , I call BS on too much sugar in the grass.

 

[faster horses]

If your cattle have access to protein (tubs; alfalfa hay, creep feed, etc) while on grass, when the calves are young and the cow is milking good, the excess protein causes a PH imbalance and predisposes the calf to scours. I read an article on this in BEEF Magazine several years ago. Dennis Price was the author. I saved it for a long time, but it is missing now. I have googled it and tried to find it to no avail.

I'd take the extra protein away and see if it doesn't clear up.
Good luck!!

 

[suzorse]

grey loose calf poop is from a glut of milk , cows milking better with the grass , and also she may have had a heat where it nursed less for that time , and then piged out , as long as it is acting normal I just watch them , as I see it all the time
Suzanne