Suspecting hardware disease in Maxine

[zephyrhillsusan]

Bless her heart, poor baby! It's so hard when they can't tell you what hurts, isn't it? I'm glad she's better and hope she continues on that trend.

[Olga]

Not chewing, not grazing this morning. She's humped up again.

[freedomfarms]

Does she have a fever?

[marion]

Apr 18, 2014 10:27:22 GMT -5 Olga said:

Not chewing, not grazing this morning. She's humped up again.

..marion

[zephyrhillsusan]

Oh, Marion, I'm so, so sorry. I know how much it kills you when there's something so wrong and you can't fix it. with you.

[zephyrhillsusan]

Just a thought, grasping at straws . . . Is there any chance at all that a vet might have a brilliant idea that would help? DA, maybe, or something at least treatable? I know you know TONS more than I do, but maybe just a fresh pair of eyes on her?

[Olga]

No fever, no discharge, no respiratory symptoms, normal poop, no lameness. One day Maxine was fine during morning milking, then sick during the evening milking. The root symptom is abdominal pain, the other symptoms stem from it.
I was gone most of the day today, so all I know about today is that Maxine was very reluctant to walk down the hill for her morning feeding, but at night she was standing by her trough chewing cud, waiting for feed. Her level of pain must be fluctuating.

[carragheendexters]

Oh no Olga, the last time I was on here I read that Marion was doing well and on the mend, and now this. So she is having a bit of a roller coaster time of it. If it was hardware, hopefully the magnet would have helped, makes me wonder if she does have a partially displaced abomasum, that keeps moving about. Allowing her to eat and cud sometimes, and then at other times causing her lots of pain and discomfort. She is a mystery, poor girl. How is she milking now? Still reduced production to her normal?

[zephyrhillsusan]

Olga, for what it's worth, just saw this on KFC about a cow they thought had hardware disease and it ended up being a floating DA, but the symptoms sound similar to Maxine. link
 

[Olga]

Thank you for all the advice. Maxine was feeling better yesterday. She came up for feed 3 times. But her milk production is next to nothing AND she has decided to wean me. I don't have a good vet available right now, the closest is legendary for charging ridiculously high fees and the vet I used for my heifer last month didn't show much care. My old vet retired in January...

[Olga]

Just a side note: displaced abomasum usually happens within 2 weeks after birth (for one type) or within 3 months after birth (the other type). Maxine calved 7 months ago.

[Olga]

Maxine was symptom free all day yesterday and so far today.

[carragheendexters]

Hi Olga,
just working my way through the board, and came to your latest update. That is such good news, sounds like she may be on the mend. Is she drying up ?
I was thinking too, does she still have the calf on her? if so that may keep her producing a bit of milk. Then if you weaned the calf you would still be getting some milk for the household.

[midhilldexters]

That's very good news, I'm sure you are relieved. I wonder if it was like acidosis?? Do you keep out free choice baking soda? I don't not even for my sheep, but many shepherds do, and I probably should. Does anyone else having baking soda out for their cows?

Carol K

[ssrdex]

Really great news Olga, I hope this thread doesn't head south again. Just has to be driving you crazy not knowing, and to not have a decent vet to call out just adds to the frustration. That's tough. If her calf is not yet weaned and she's drying up, at least it's had 7 months on her.
I'm not familiar with acidosis. Have something else to learn now. Had no idea anyone ever gave anything free choice baking soda. Thanks Carol K