Suspecting hardware disease in Maxine

[Olga]

Symptoms:
* Yesterday I noticed her standing off more, browsing less, her posture was different, evening milking yield was half normal.
* This morning I noticed that Maxine was arching her back slightly, was taking smaller steps, her neck was extended forward and down - an unusual posture; during milking I didn't hear gut sounds and she stepped away from me once (very unusual), milk production was half normal. She looked depressed overall.

Today: getting a cow magnet.

[zephyrhillsusan]

Olga, did you breed her and raise her, to know she doesn't already have one?

I know that reading some of the horror stories on here made me decide to get them. We're trying to create a new pasture where we had a double-wide torn down. I was over there today picking up debris, running a rolling magnet. It's astonishing what is hiding in the grass and on the ground. It's going to be quite a while before we can let anything graze there.

[Olga]

I didn't raise her. The magnet is my best hope, as I do not intend to go the surgery route.

[legendrockranch]

Oh my, hope it's not hardware. I have not put magnets in my animals yet and was just speaking with another breeder last week about this very subject. I'm going to seriously reconsider putting them in.

Hope everything works out Olga.

[carragheendexters]

Hi Olga,

so sorry to hear that something is wrong. Also what about a twisted abomasum? similar symptoms with that too. Both are very painful for them, and they won't eat normally. I know a twisted abomasum is often regarded as something that happens in a freshly calved cow, but it can happen at any time. A neighbours pet cow had to have surgery, she hadn't had a calf for 8 years. The neighbour had no facilities for the vet, so guess which bunny had to deal with it? LOL, and nurse the cow back to health because she couldn't be moved for 2 weeks, and the neighbour couldn't "cope" with treating her.
Even with the magnet, do you think she may need a vet? I am thinking if the metal has already done some damage, or if it is a DA.

 Edited to add, I just reread what you wrote about no surgery. Disregard what I wrote back.
 

[zephyrhillsusan]

I know that you know this, Olga, but for the sake of anyone reading this thread who doesn't, it might be good to point out that if you don't absolutely know for sure that your cow has never had a magnet put in, then you need to checkThis thread talks about how to check by running a magnet under the front part of the cow's belly to see if the needle reacts to the magnet instead of continuing to point north.  Despite what a couple of people said in the thread about putting in a second magnet later, it is NOT a good idea from what I understand.  The second magnet can be pulled to the first one, trapping part of the stomach between them and causing a problem.  As far as putting two in at the same time, this was the first time I'd ever heard it recommended.  When we put magnets in our girls, I recorded it in their health records because I don't trust my memory to remember who I've done.  

I'm SO very sorry you're having this happen, and I really hope the magnet will do the trick and snap her back to her usual self!

[Olga]

My gut feeling tells me that she doesn't have a magnet already and that this is hardware disease. I know that this might kill her and I'm prepared to put her down if her condition becomes too painful. As long as she is eating, hope is not lost.

[Olga]

Maxine came up for the evening milking right on schedule, at 9 pm. When I came outside she was chewing cud - the 1st time that I have seen today (and I spent a lot of time watching). I clipped the rope to her halter and had my husband hold the rope while I gave her the magnet and 2 boluses - she didn't fight us. Then I gave her the feed and milked her out. She ate all the feed, the milk amount was half the usual. Will update after the morning check-up.

[Fran]

Thinking about you. Hope that it's not hardware and hope that you get it corrected.

[ssrdex]

Sounds like from your last post that things may be looking up for Maxine. I hope so Olga. I'm sure you've put a lot into her training. I bought magnets and the gun but have put off learning to put them in, but I know I need to. Good luck!

[hollydzie]

Joel this might help
www.dexters4u.com/2012/04/rumen-magnets-and-hardware-disease/

[zephyrhillsusan]

One thing my (former) vet pointed out when he did it might be helpful if you use one of the balling guns with the finger holes. He said do NOT put your fingers in the holes. Just position the gun then use the palm of your hand to push it in. If the cow suddenly twists its head with a violent movement, you can get your fingers seriously hurt.

Thanks for the link, Holly. I need to get one of those, now I know which one.

[ssrdex]

Thanks Holly!

[hollydzie]

Welcome

Holly

[Olga]

This morning Maxine was chewing cud. She ate her morning feed; milk volume is still low. After "breakfast" Maxine went grazing for the 1st time in 2 days. I saw her grazing in the afternoon too. Her posture was better, the back was straighter, head was held higher and I saw her lick herself on the hip/flank area a few times - something that cow's don't do when they have severe gut pain. Most of her pain is when she lays down - then she shifts a lot and gives a long rumbling moan with a grunt at the end, it sounds very sad.
Overall, things are looking up so far.