Staggers

[domsmith]

Had a cow with staggers this morning. Called them over for their mag rolls this morning and she came with the other but did not stop! she slid to a halt and fell on her side twitching and thrashing.
i managed to get her upright and realised something wrong.
25 mins later vet on site and cow into pens she was well enough to walk. 3 bottles of magnesium (i assume) and she looks well at the moment.

think i was very lucky. only started feeding rolls in the last few days, and licks have been out for a month.
will start with silage i think to make sure.
she is a 4 year old Dangus great condition and 500kg (thought i would weigh her as she was in the pen)

keep and eye out!!

dominic

[Saffy]

Thank you for the warning Dom!

We do feed ours Mag Rolls but it is still nice to be reminded why we are doing it and Staggers is so quick, you did well to get her treated in time.

Stephanie

[Broomcroft]

Thanks for the reminder, I'd forgotten as well. I'll get some mag feed blocks tomorrow.

[Duncan MacIntyre]

You did well to save this cow, staggers is very unpredictable. I hate attending staggers cases. Anyone with a few cows should think about keeping a bottle of magnesium and calcium/magnesium mixture on hand, to be given if a cow goes down with staggers before the vet gets there. The vet may well advise which to give and i/v or s/c to help save the cow before they get to her. At any time if a cow is down and you do not know if it is milk fever or staggers, give a bottle of Calcium or mixture. Magnesium, on the other hand, will probably harm a milk fever case if given in error.

Duncan