injured bull

endainoz

Well lads, just looking for some opinions. Have a bull that was let out last Tuesday, somehow injured himself on Friday morning. Seems to be a muscular injury. He can stand for a short period but will quickly sit down again. Got vet out same day, they said nothing is broken but will take some time to heal properly. Saw him again this morning to give some water but making little progress. Do I just need to be patient or should I be seeing progress by now? Has anybody else had a similar experience with this thanks?

whelan2

Did the vet give him painkillers?

endainoz

A slow release anti inflammatory, gave another shot to him this morning on the vets advice.

whelan2

Time. Have you another bull to use while he is recovering?

endainoz

Unfortunately not, small herd of 20 cattle. If I knew for sure this was a long term recovery I'd try source a replacement.

whelan2

Might be a better option. No point pushing him if he's not ready. At least if you have another bull he could be working

Future Farmer

Could AI be an option? You can't afford to wait around, when do you calve?

atlantic mist

we had same issue last year, both bulls injured themselves one damaged a nerve in spine and other hurt his foot, both came right but only really back for this season, we were patient but has caught us out on breeding and pushed our calving dates out.

if possible id find a replacement or start ai straight away, i breed my own stock bull as the reserve bull for this year

endainoz

atlantic mist wrote: »

we had same issue last year, both bulls injured themselves one damaged a nerve in spine and other hurt his foot, both came right but only really back for this season, we were patient but has caught us out on breeding and pushed our calving dates out.

if possible id find a replacement or start ai straight away, i breed my own stock bull as the reserve bull for this year

Thanks for the info, just out of interest how long did it take your bull before he was up and about walking around?

Mine is making little progress and will make a decision on sourcing a replacement in the next couple of days as its an unfortunate time of year for something like this to happen.

Dunedin

endainoz wrote: »

Thanks for the info, just out of interest how long did it take your bull before he was up and about walking around?

Mine is making little progress and will make a decision on sourcing a replacement in the next couple of days as its an unfortunate time of year for something like this to happen.

I wouldn't hang round too long on him. A bull needs to be in top shape to work and while impossible to say without seeing him, if he has any kind of bad injury, then at best you will have a lot of empty cows.

endainoz

Yeah I'm going to have to source a replacement now whatever happens. Rang the lad i got the bull from this time last year and he might have a temp replacement for me, hes just worried he might be a bit young but will keep people updated on the situation if ye are interested.