Basic Knowledge - General health
You have a responsibility to see that your cows are cared for to the best of your ability. There are basic practical and theoretical husbandry skills that you can become profficient in that cost nothing and will ensure your charges receive the best of care. Learn how your cow works, it's worth it !
Sleep [Two types]
- Deep sleep. This is taken when lying down. An average cow will sleep for 1-2 hours in each 24 hour period in individual blocks of approx 5 minutes each. [Brain activity is reduced and rumination stops] You will sometimes walk in when your cow is in this state and if you make a loud noise will wake her. Try and avoid this, it shows that she trusts you and her surroundings.
- Drowsy sleep. Taken when standing or sitting. Average of one third of the day is spent like this. [Rumination continues at a reduced rate]
- Younger animals need more sleep than adults.
Diagnostic Skills
The first and possibly most important skill to master is taking a temperature. The temperature is controlled by the Hypothalmus [heat-regulating centre of brain] and can vary between cows.
- It is wise to have your cow confined in some manner, behind a gate for example to prevent movement. This should be done with a minimum of fuss.
- Lubricate and insert a Digital or Mercury thermometer, [ensure before insertion that you have it zero'ed in] over at least a third of it's length into the cows anus. It is best held at an angle so that the tip is against the wall of the rectum and not in a pile of faeces. Leave it for at least a minute to settle.
- A normal temperature will be between 101.5 [38.5 C]-103 degrees F and is affected by several factors.
- 1. External temperature. Eg. Cold day + ill cow = Low temp
- 2. Stress, injury or pest infestation.
- 3. Stage of lactation, if bulling.
- 4. Blood circulation, secretion of urine and appetite.
- 5. Condition of cow.
Once the temperature has been established and if it is outside the parameters of a normal one there are further checks that can be made to help establish a diagnosis :
- Cold ears.[If after a long or difficult calving, unable to stand, staring eyes - suspect Milk fever]
- Scours [Diarrhoea]. Not to be confused with the loose faeces of lush fresh grass. Scours will normally smell terrible ! [Eg,Salmonella. Once smelt never forgotten ]
- Milk yield. A drop in your cows normal amount will be the only indication. [Milk yield can also be affected by other factors. Eg. If bulling]
- Heavy breathing, panting or other obvious difficulties with lungs. [Respirations, cow at rest - 15-25 per minute]
- Arched back, bulging eyes and walking affected. [An obvious sign of pain] Leave cow where she is unless more harm could be caused by not moving her.
- Limping or unsteady on feet.[Possible foot injury/infection-"Fouls"]
- Heavy discharge from Nostrils, Mouth, Vulva or Anus. [Bacterial or Viral infection]
- Physical sign of injury. [Cut, blood visible]
- Pulse. Newborn calf. 118-146 per minute / Six to twelve months. 80-103 per min / Adult at rest 50-70 per min.
The above list is by no means exhaustive, only by experience will you learn more.
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