Comments on: Fat Cows, Skinny Cows

By: Gabriella

Gabriella — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 21:39:11 +0000

When the pastures are overgrazed, it is much easier for them to contract intestinal parasites. Have you de-wormed them?

By: zolton

zolton — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 03:03:07 +0000

Some of my cows are very bony in the rear and hips. I provide protein tub and a good grade of hay. The pastures are eaten down. What and how can I feed them to put the weight back on them. I look forward to your respond. Thanks

By: Kristin S.

Kristin S. — Thu, 12 May 2016 19:06:52 +0000

I have a belted Galloway highland cross. He’s castrated and is a pet in a pasture with a couple mini horses. His belly is huge and I noticed him breathing more heavily. We are already at 85 here on Georgia. I bought him from a well known petting zoo at 7 months as a mini. He’s definitely not a mini , maybe a midline. I just can’t find a lot of info on care as s pet. I was instructed to feed sweet feed which I don’t think is right. Noticed he’s drinking more water (prob bc hot). Considering getting him a friend as the vet stated cows need cows. Trimming up his coat and using thinning shears. Any advice welcomed!!

By: Gabriella

Gabriella — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 03:02:14 +0000

So sorry about your cow. Without a necropsy, it is hard to guess what caused her death. Most likely, she stopped eating because something else was wrong; so anorexia was a sign of illness, but not the cause of her death. There are so many possibilities, infectious causes like Johne’s or even mycoplasma, environmental causes like fatty necrosis, or hardware disease; partial bowel obstruction; she could have even had cancer. You will most likely never know, but if you have any other animals with similar symptoms, I would definitely call a vet.

By: Hayden Zimpel

Hayden Zimpel — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 21:04:55 +0000

I had recently had my cow die because of her not eating. She has eaten very well this summer but not enough to get some meat on her bones. Ever since the cold started she hasnt eaten, I seperated her from the rest of the herd and i took the calf off her because she wasnt producing milk well enough to feed the calf. I fed her some left over stuff from the brewery to fatten her up, but she wouldnt even touch. she would every once in a while eat but not enough.
-Hayden Zimpel

By: Gabriella

Gabriella — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 06:49:20 +0000

She may have cystic ovaries. Sometimes it is easily treated. I would try to find an embryologist or cattle vet that does “ovary work.” It may be as simple as a couple of injections, or it may be hopeless, but at least you will know.

By: james

james — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 18:45:00 +0000

I have a miniature jersey 4 year old jersey cow we AI her 3 times and bred her to a Dexter bull NO pregnancy she has developed a huge barrel belly she is on good pasture and gets 3 cups of cracked corn and whole oats a day. I feel she is to fat what do you suggest.

By: Gabriella

Gabriella — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:16:54 +0000

How are you feeding her, and how much space does she have? Is she a shortleg, or does she have issues with arthritis/mobility? Is she grazing or being fed hay? Without knowing any of the details, I could suggest an easy way to get cows to exercise more is to put the feed at one far end of the pasture and the water at the opposite end. I might be able to help more if I knew more about her.

By: Rachael

Rachael — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 23:57:37 +0000

I have a 6 year old Dexter, that after reading your article above I have come to conclude that she comes in under the ‘exteremely fat’ category. What can I do to get her in better condition, because I am very worried what health problems may be caused if I do not get her weight under control.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Rachael

By: Gabriella

Gabriella — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:33:02 +0000

He may be eating too much dirt. That is common in poor grazing conditions. If there is any way you can get a protein tub out to him, that often solved the problem for breeders in CA where the issue was similar. I think the media of the tub helps them move the dirt along their digestive tract, and the protein and minerals in the tub help with the deficiencies that come with eating dirt. Sorry I took so long to answer, I was out of the country.