Cow Eat Bag of Meal

Stan 10

I had 2 cows eat one bag and maybe half another one last night by braking in to where the meal was strored, any ideas what action to take.

milkprofit

Stan 10 wrote: »

I had 2 cows eat one bag and maybe half another one last night by braking in to where the meal was strored, any ideas what action to take.

Vet urgentely

jomoloney

is milk of magnesia still available, or is it called milk par now days,

if so give them a bottle each and monitor them

bread soda might be of benefit also

just keep an eye on them give hay or straw and water

PMU

liquid parrafin

Milton09

Stan 10 wrote: »

I had 2 cows eat one bag and maybe half another one last night by braking in to where the meal was strored, any ideas what action to take.

I was once told not to give water in these situations, its expands the meal insde and can kill them - not sure how true this is...

Kevhog1988

as above.. liquid paraffin

Nekarsulm

Would keep them away from water, or at least restrict it greatly.

buffalobilly

No water for sure

leg wax

no water and dont stand behind them.

TUBBY

Severe talking to maybe.

Sorry, I know that is no help...

Bread soda and vet is your best course. If they were already on meal might not cause acidosis

Farmer Pudsey

Were they getting any meal at present. They would have shared about 38-40kgs between them so about 20kgs each, I would talk to vet but would not panic put them in a place where they have access to Silage, straw or hay. would give access to limited water, 10L at the time each they just need for it to pass through system.

Your biggest worry is one has polished off all of it however unlikly. Watch to see if either gets extremely bloated. Would trow 2-300 grams of cubicle lime on floor they will lick it up, Have seen agey fresian bulls eat over 20kgs a day on adlib biggest issue was they were not finishing.

I imagine all they will have is a pain in the gut like a child that had unfettered access to a sweet shop for a few hours.

FYM

Definately no / little water, they may start to spit out their cud as a result of acidisis, will be a case for the vet at this stage, just keep an eye on them and no meal for a few days

vinne

It happened to a bull of mine ,wasn't going to do anything until a neighbour told me he lost two cows over the same thing . The vet came and gave the bull a sachet mixed with 5 gallons of water pumped into the stomach , hope that helps.

PMU

had it happen to a cow this spring,vet reckons too much protein can damage something in the stomach (cant remember what), so the liquid paraffin is important. she came back fine and a week later broke in again! got a kick in the a*** this time.

jomoloney

FYM wrote: »

Definately no / little water, they may start to spit out their cud as a result of acidisis, will be a case for the vet at this stage, just keep an eye on them and no meal for a few days

why

Rho b

jomoloney wrote: »

is milk of magnesia still available, or is it called milk par now days,

if so give them a bottle each and monitor them

bread soda might be of benefit also

just keep an eye on them give hay or straw and water

Milk of Magnesia is now back on the shelves. It disappeared earlier from the shops this year:( Why I don't know, maybe us farmers used up all the stock :rolleyes:
I always keep a few large bottles of it in the house.
As you said bread soda is also good, a good fistful in a half litre of warm water down the hatch.

just do it

Any update stan?

Stan 10

Thanks a million for all the help, really appreciate it. The cows seem to be doing ok I was a bit slow about replying incase they did not maintain it but so far so good. I started with soda and then gave liquid parafin. They were on a nice bit of meal anyway so that might have helped.

TUBBY

Good to hear Stan. If they on a good bit of meal anyway you should be grand.

One thing. How are they dung wise and are they taking in much silage.

Stan 10

TUBBY wrote: »

Good to hear Stan. If they on a good bit of meal anyway you should be grand.

One thing. How are they dung wise and are they taking in much silage.

Normal in the dung gave very little bit of hay to them.

TUBBY

Stan 10 wrote: »

Normal in the dung gave very little bit of hay to them.

that sound good. Say you have nothing to worry about so. Digestive system upset would mean no intake and most likely no dung or else severe piping.

kerryjack

hapened here a few years back cows broke in to meel shed i said 2 our fathers and 1 hail mary done the trick.

Stan 10

Just a quick update cows seem to be doing well this morning and back to normal.

Sharpshooter82

Stan 10 wrote: »

Just a quick update cows seem to be doing well this morning and back to normal.

Thats the style

Figerty

Stan 10 wrote: »

Just a quick update cows seem to be doing well this morning and back to normal.

An with a slight gain in weight!

Damo810

Why restrict the water? Is it so it won't cake the meal inside? Or to prevent them bloating or what?

just do it

You'll have to keep her on 25kg a day now that she's used to it

Rho b

Damo810 wrote: »

Why restrict the water? Is it so it won't cake the meal inside? Or to prevent them bloating or what?

Allowing them to drink can trigger acidosis.