Fluid in back legs on steer

[TomC]

Please see below

 

[farmboy]

:-*

 

[TomC]

Alright...This was my first post and I obviously failed...The original was supposed to say....

My daughters steer started walking stiff on his back legs about 1 month ago.  At that time I started him on Equex (per guidance from my feed guy).  Tonight I noticed that he is starting to build up fluid in both of his back legs.  Any recommendations on what products work best for this?

 

[TexasHeat]

How Much does he weigh? Age? Show destination?  You need to check your show rules and see what medicine you can give her.  Equex is a really good product to add to your feeding program, but he may need some banamine or dexamethosone to bring the swelling down.

 

[TomC]

He is a Heatwave out of a Who Made Who cow. (leg problems expected?!) He was born mid April and weighs around 1,000lbs. Short and narrow on the legs. (50 inches tall) He will be in the cooler until August for county show.

 

[OH Breeder]

For some fat steers when they get closer to finish weight they will accumulate fluid in the joints. You can use cool water rinse followed by a liniment. You can also talk with your vet about "Motrin" for you calf to reduce the inflammation and provide reflief. We did this with one of fats to get him to show. Stay on top of it.

Race horse will "stock up" if I remember right in legs. Similar to what you are talking about.They wrap their legs and rinse with cool water and apply liniment. Then again, i may be off on that one which is nothing new for me.

 

[Bone2011]

I heard to use ice and wrap with vet wrap.

 

[jbh]

Whatever you do.....DON"T drain it......once you start that, you have to keep it up and it gradually gets worse and generally solves NOTHING.  If your cool room is big enough....let him run loose....even if it's a little close quarters.  That'll do him more good than anything.  You can pulverize the motrin or ibuprofen and top dress his feed with it and that WILL help, and just be careful when clipping the leg out to try and disguise the swelling with hair around it.

 

[common sense]

The fluid on the hind leg joint (hock) is called sinovial fluid (not sure of spelling). This fluid builds up in an area where there is injury or stress and in most cases, no matter how many times you drain it, it will just keep filling up because the injury or damage still exists.  You see this often on straight legged calves because of the stress on the joint.  The best thing you can do is try to relieve as much stress on that joint as possible.  If you can allow the calf to be loose in the cooler he is able to move around more freely and lie down in a more comfortable position.  I also would recommend deeper bedding.  In most cases there is really nothing you can do.  Many will just drain the fluid just before entering the ring but it is always risky. 

 

[SHOW STR]

i had a steer 2 years ago same thing heatwave had an ex ray done when he weighed about 600 lbs  it was the size of a golf ball not real big but big enough to be noticed.the vet said it was a bone chip and it was heriditary some day would be smaller some days a little bigger it never seam to bother him or cripple him he was always structurly correct. he always had good hair and we worked the leg hair while in the cooler to where he had plenty of hair no one ever noticed this steer was 51" and 1380 when finished i wouldnt get real concerned good luck

 

[TomC]

Thanks to everyones feed back.  It sounds like there is no real cure for this.  I will definitely apply allot of the advice that was given. 

JBH...regarding the Motrin or ibuprofen.  How much can I give per day?  And for how long?

Thanks again for all of the feedback.  I am just getting into show calves and I really appreciate everyones help!  Its nice to know that everyone is so willing to lend advice.