sick looking ??

daniel · Post by **daniel** » Thu May 25, 2006 10:03 am

we have a steer who over the last couple of days is rather pinny looking on his rear and yet shows plenty of shape forward. he has always looked dolefull and listless so have accepted it could just be his make up.
now he is quite messey at back end more than would be accepted. other older ones not at all runny etc,they are all on good organic grass and wave plenty of clean water. although it has been a little damp the last few days.
before we get the vet out and receive a £100 bill (from prev experience with this practice with horses) are there any pointers we should look out for?
he has no discharge from eyes or nose. eats from bucket ok. rests gets up and down ok. just looks not right.
Pic from 14 days ago available.

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Thu May 25, 2006 11:51 am

Are you totally organic? I ask because it can happen that older animals than would be expected can have a significant worm burden on such systems. I would ask your vet if you can take in a dung sample for worm egg count, there should be no visit charge for that though there will be a small lab charge. I think the soil association allows treatment with the apropriate drugs if disease is diagnosed provided twice the normal withdrawal times are observed.

Duncan

daniel · Post by **daniel** » Thu May 25, 2006 1:51 pm

we have been here for over ten years the field has been grazed by sheep/cattle at diff stages by last tennant, to my certain knowledge the land has not been treated at all just hay cut. we have had it for six years and only ever kept horses on it. steer in question is around 14month. we have a fair size problem with nettle and thistle but nothing to cause concern and plenty of grass for all.
all animals live out and was wondering if recient wet weather comming so quick and sharp caused a chill ??
hes up and about just seems not right and is quite light in flesh.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:50 pm

I would take Duncan's advice Daniel, to me worms seem the most probable cause, especially as you say he is a little light for his age compared to those around him. Individual animals can have differing tolerances to worm burden with some able to cope better than others.

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:33 pm

I would imagine that they would check for coccidia too in the dung sample as damp weather and youth can certainly cause this to be a problem. Make sure they are getting their minerals.

Kathy

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Thu May 25, 2006 4:02 pm

Presumably the steer was at grass last year, and you may be seeing something akin to "type two ostertagiasis" where worms hibernate inactive in the abomasal was and mass hatch in the spring. It may not be due the the last couple of months grazing history alone.

If you really want to scare yourself you could start thinking about him possibly being a BVD PI (persitently infected). They are often poorer all their lives and then go into an early decline and develope mucosal disease. You would need a blood test for that, but I would still go for a worm egg count first.

Duncan