How to Find Sick Cattle

If you are raising cattle, illness can really devastate your bottom line. Spotting a sick cow early is of the utmost importance. Early treatment can save the life of your cow and stop the spread of disease to the rest of your herd. Vigilance is the key to spotting sick cattle. Check your cattle daily. Become familiar with the normal behavior and movements of your herd. Pay special attention to any cow that has broken the normal routine.

Instructions

1. Watch your cattle at feeding time. A sick cow will have a suppressed appetite. Make sure a fresh and palatable supply of feed is available. If your cow refuses to get up and eat, that is a warning sign that she may be sick. If your cow comes to eat but is very slow about it, she may be coming down with something. You might notice your cow appears slab sided and the gut will wiggle when she walks.

2. Note how your cattle are carrying themselves. Sick cattle tend to be sluggish and hang their head a bit lower than healthy cattle. Another symptom of sick cattle is distancing. Sick cattle prefer to be by themselves and show little or no interest in the herd or the environment around them. Sickness makes cattle weak and they will walk with a short stride and tuck their tail between their legs. Their ears may droop more than normal.

3. Check the eyes, nose and breathing. Sick cattle may have runny noses or watery eyes. Listen for the presence of a cough or congestion in the lungs. Short and fast respiration is another symptom sick cattle exhibit.

4. Isolate any cow that displays symptoms of illness. If a cow is down and cannot get up, it is important to get her on her feet as soon as possible. If you cannot get her to her feet, roll her over to the other side two times a day. The weight of the cow's gut will crush her internal organs if she lies on one side too long.

Tips & Warnings

• When you feed, always take a head count. Search for missing cattle right away. Sick cows like to hide near trees and brush. They will also hang out at the edges of fence lines. Some cattle will seek relief from fever by wading into a pond. Their feet may become stuck in the mud or they may be too weak to get out.

• If your cattle are sick, always consult your veterinarian. Contagious diseases can spread quickly and treatment of the entire herd may be required.

References

• Cattletoday.com: Identifying, Managing Sick Cattle
• Dr. Jim Baker, DVM; Wasola Animal Health; Wasola, MO