Unruly show steer after going to vet

[cruemke]

Hi, Im new to this. We have a 1134 lb show steer that had a cut behind his ear from halter?, who knows.
We had to take him to the vet to get it looked at, he did not need stitches just cleaned up. Well he could not wear a halter for 2 weeks, now when we get the halter on he goes crazy. He wont let you rub or brush him anymore, he kicks everything that he did not do prior to this. We are worried what will happen at our fair which is only 2 weeks away. We have heard about giving melatonin to them to make them calmer, just wanting to know if anyone has any ideas or have given their animal melatonin, if so how much and when to start. Thanks.

 

[chippie]

Double check the area where he was cut. It may still be tender and the halter is causing him pain. Does he act that way with or without a halter on?

If pain is the issue, a calming agent may or may not help.

 

[tobytonya]

You can give 20-25 per feeding, most start about 1-2 weeks prior, so your timing is good. I've use melatonin tablets, but I did not notice much difference. It does take a little bit off. If he is really wild, I'd try rompun. You have to get it from your vet, but be careful using it. If you give too much he won't even walk!! You only need about 1/2 ml. Check out the website, or search "rompun" on yahoo. You have to be careful with rompun during the heat, it can make him bloat!! I give rompun on the tongue, it will work in 10-15 minutes, but only last for about 1/2 hour. What ever you do, stay away from "ace". If he is wild and you give him "ace" it could make things a lot worse. I had a steer go "crazy" on ace.
It's never good when it cames to this, having to use medication to show, but it does happen. I've been in your situation before! If you are going to give something, be honest with your vet and ask questions. I suggest rompun because it works, and it is for use in cattle. Good luck.

 

[cruemke]

Thanks for the advice, he does act that way without the halter on now also.
I looked up ropum, that sounds like it might be too much for us to give that kind of drug, they do drug test at our fair. If anyone else has had any results with any other drugs or remedies please let me know.

 

[milkmaid]

Did you handle him at all in the two weeks when he couldn't wear a halter? was this attitude change gradual or sudden?

I'd probably just get a rope on him and start with the basics -- standing tied -- but there's just me. I don't ever seen any reason to put up with any nonsense from a bovine, especially not one that's had training in the past.

 

[chippie]

Well then, I agree with milkmaid. It may be time to tie him up and re-educate him. I doubt that it had anything to do with the vet. He just had 2 weeks vacation and decided that he doesn't want to be messed with.

I saw a friend at the feedstore today who feeds melatonin to grow hair. She said that they give 10 or so tablets. She has not noticed it affecting their steer's disposition or demeanor.

Our daughter has a Braunvieh heifer that was purchased in Feb. She was halter broken and shown before we bought her. Our daughter plays fast pitch softball and made the 16U All Star team, so the summer was tied up with softball practices and tournaments, plus our District and State 4-H horse shows.

She started working with her heifer last week and the heifer acted like she didn't know anything. We know that she knows her job. So she has been standing tied for the last 3 days, being lead to water and back to feed. It is working. The heifer's memory is returning quickly ;-)

Good luck with the steer. Let him know that you mean business.

PS. You are right about using drugs. If you need a tranquilizer, talk to your vet about it.

 

[cruemke]

Answer to last response, no we were not with the steer at the vet, we dropped him off. Ive tried melatonin so far with no help, he has not gotten any better with us, seems to be a little worse with my husband than with me and my daughter. We are getting a lot of advice but so far nothing has really helped, he does not seem to mind to be brushed, but soon as you touch him with your bare hand he gets nervous and what we call snotty. Any one else with ideas please bring them on.

 

[Snider_Angus]

1-2 cc's of Ace 1 hour before you show

 

[BC]

1-2 cc's of Ace 1 hour before you show

At shows in Texas, this is illegal since acepromiazine is not labeled for meat animals. You could get disqualified and even banned from future shows.

 

[TheBullLady]

Wonderful Snider..that's what we want to teach our kids learning to show. To use DRUGS on your animals, instead of investing time and work! Shesh

As mentioned, you'll get banned in Texas .. and should be banned from anything else in my opinion.

 

[cruemke]

Thanks for everyones suggestions, weve already had our show, which went allright with the unrulyness, but we did not place high enough to show. Just to let everyone know, no we dont do anything illegal or use unnatural ways on our animals, we do it the old fashioned way. If anyone has a steer for sell for next years show (ours is in Sept. in Texas) let me know.

 

[texanstraders]

Not sure where you are in Texas or what kind of steer you are looking for, But I have some shorthorns available. Do you need one that had the FFA certifications? Email me direct if you like. We're north of Dallas

 

[Snider_Angus]

I never said we used it. I just know that people around here do use Ace and Thorizine.

 

[Ryan]

.

 

[grand chaser09]

i have used melatonin. but only on heifers. heres my tips... we never gave it to them weeks ahead of time. i normally gave it the day of the show about an hour before it kicked off. when you do it don't put it in the feed unless you have an extreamly good eater. if he's not then smash it up in a cup mix it with water and use it like a drench. this way he gets all of it in him. id use about 20-30 tablets depending on how he's doing. wait to see if he gets worse at fair or not some become more dependent on you because their in a diffrent enviroment.
hope i could help!
good luck.