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COWS-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 51
Animals affected by grass tetany are restless, leave the herd, stop grazing, may become aggressive or run for no reasons, or even collapse when moved or excited. Their gait may lack coordination, and stagger this is followed by convulsion, coma and death
Prevention:
Use pastures that include a few legumes or mature plants, or feed a mineral mix containing magnesium.
Treatment:
IV injection of calcium magnesium gluconate (200 – 500 ml) is quite effective, once give the cow will soon be able to get up. Another effective treatment is a magnesium enema which the cow absorbs though the rectum. Dissolve 60 grams of magnesium chloride (Epsom salt) in 200 ml water and give by way of a collapsible plastic bottle attached to a plastic tube – this is cheaper and safer than an IV.
EMPHYSEMA
Occasionally cattle suffer sever reaction when changed suddenly from dry pastures to green pasture. What happens is the lungs fill with fluid a few days after the change in feed which produces difficult breathing similar to that of human asthma. The animal may try to breath through its mouth and froth. The problem is caused by amino acid (tryptophan) found in lush green forages that is transformed by rumen bacteria into a poison that is absorbed by the blood and carried to the lungs where the reaction takes place. WHEN A COW SUFFERS FROM RESPIRATORY DISTRESS EVEN THE EFFORT OF JUST MOVING IT TO THE CORRAL FOR DOCTORING MAY CAUSE THE ANIMAL TO COLLAPSE AND DIE.
Treatment:
Use antihistamines, cortisone, and adrenalin.
Prevention:
Do not put cattle in to a lush green pasture from a dry one, make it transitional in a not so green pasture or on hay. If cattle start to show symptoms a few days after being moved into a greener pasture, gently move the herd out of the offending pasture into a drier one taking care not to excite them.
NITRATE POISONING
Nitrate poisoning is most likely to occur when pasture or hay has accumulated high levels of nitrate, as when excessively fertilized or drought stressed. Oat hay can be very deadly under certain conditions. Immature green oats, barley, wheat hay, Sudan grass and corn fodder contain toxic amounts of nitrate, as can Johnsongrass, bromegrass, orchardgrass and Russian thistle. Nitrate concentration is greatest in the lower parts of the plant.
Prevention:
Use pastures that include a few legumes or mature plants, or feed a mineral mix containing magnesium.
Treatment:
IV injection of calcium magnesium gluconate (200 – 500 ml) is quite effective, once give the cow will soon be able to get up. Another effective treatment is a magnesium enema which the cow absorbs though the rectum. Dissolve 60 grams of magnesium chloride (Epsom salt) in 200 ml water and give by way of a collapsible plastic bottle attached to a plastic tube – this is cheaper and safer than an IV.
EMPHYSEMA
Occasionally cattle suffer sever reaction when changed suddenly from dry pastures to green pasture. What happens is the lungs fill with fluid a few days after the change in feed which produces difficult breathing similar to that of human asthma. The animal may try to breath through its mouth and froth. The problem is caused by amino acid (tryptophan) found in lush green forages that is transformed by rumen bacteria into a poison that is absorbed by the blood and carried to the lungs where the reaction takes place. WHEN A COW SUFFERS FROM RESPIRATORY DISTRESS EVEN THE EFFORT OF JUST MOVING IT TO THE CORRAL FOR DOCTORING MAY CAUSE THE ANIMAL TO COLLAPSE AND DIE.
Treatment:
Use antihistamines, cortisone, and adrenalin.
Prevention:
Do not put cattle in to a lush green pasture from a dry one, make it transitional in a not so green pasture or on hay. If cattle start to show symptoms a few days after being moved into a greener pasture, gently move the herd out of the offending pasture into a drier one taking care not to excite them.
NITRATE POISONING
Nitrate poisoning is most likely to occur when pasture or hay has accumulated high levels of nitrate, as when excessively fertilized or drought stressed. Oat hay can be very deadly under certain conditions. Immature green oats, barley, wheat hay, Sudan grass and corn fodder contain toxic amounts of nitrate, as can Johnsongrass, bromegrass, orchardgrass and Russian thistle. Nitrate concentration is greatest in the lower parts of the plant.