Cow losing weight and frothing at the mouth.

I have a 26 month old 1st calf heifer that has lost weight and is frothing at the mouth. 
It has been hot and she often pants with open mouth and tongue hanging out.
Lots of water available.  She has been standing in mud when she can.  Walking a bit slower than usual too.
Shade is available.
She gets a little grain night and morning along with free choice hay and short grass pasture.
She is raising a nice March Shorthorn plus bull calf that is growing well. 
Was in heat two weeks ago and is due for breeding about Friday of this week.

Should I shave her(she is real hairy)?
Weather is supposed to cool out starting tomorrow.

Any diagnosis or help?

Thanks-

Whats her temp? Open mouth panting for no reason is not good, no matter how hot. Call a vet...

Had a cow a couple years ago get a fungal infection in her mouth from a cut in her tongue. She had similar symptoms. Call your vet mine required iv treatment.

Yep call the vet.  Isnt just hot weather.  Likely has fever and/or respiratory issue.

I'd body clip her. If your weather is anything like here, it is UNUSUALLY warm and humid. If your cow has hair, that is contributing to the high temp. By all means temp her, and call a vet to make sure it is nothing else, but it sounds like she is hot. I know our cattle are not used to this much heat this soon. Our pastures are turning brown already, and we are not even out of May yet!

We were at a show yesterday, and have an 8 month old Angus heifer that, for the first time, had her mouth open and panting while tied in the shade at the trailer. None of the other cattle were panting, but for some reason the heat was affecting her more than the others. We took her over and rinsed her off with the hose, which helped her some.

She has tons of hair so I'll slick her ASAP.
She did well last summer as a show heifer with no fans or special cooling.

Just noticed the foam at her mouth last evening and again at noon today.  She was fine at feeding time this morning. 
Thought it unusual to see her pant last night at dusk.

I just think she is hot, but sure would hate to lose her as she was my son's first heifer purchase.

Vet will be called of course, just thought I'd ask other veteran cattlemen as well.

I would guess she probably has hardwere. Sorry but not a whole lot u can do at this point

LLBUX said:

I have a 26 month old 1st calf heifer that has lost weight and is frothing at the mouth. 
It has been hot and she often pants with open mouth and tongue hanging out.
Lots of water available.  She has been standing in mud when she can.  Walking a bit slower than usual too.
Shade is available.
She gets a little grain night and morning along with free choice hay and short grass pasture.
She is raising a nice March Shorthorn plus bull calf that is growing well. 
Was in heat two weeks ago and is due for breeding about Friday of this week.

Should I shave her(she is real hairy)?
Weather is supposed to cool out starting tomorrow.

Any diagnosis or help?

Thanks-

Click to expand...

1. Take the heifers temperature - if it is over 103 call your vet asap for instructions
2. If you know how to determine her heart rate - that and respiratory rate are good information for your vet
3. Clip the heifer and "water her" - ie cover her with cool water
4. Frothing at the mouth is not good - do not stick your hands in her mouth or around her mouth unless you are wearing gloves - although unlikely I always keep rabies in my mind when dealing with cattle who may appear to have something going on in their mouth
5. yes, call your vet
6. good luck

Cow looks better this morning in the cooler AM temps.  Going out to shave her now.
Good appetite this morning.

Spoke with Vet last night and he suggested Fescue endophyte issues.  Will treat with banamine ASAP.
It being Memorial Day, I may have fun finding some today.  He is on a weekend vacation and will be back tomorrow.  Nice of him to speak with me last evening.

I will also check eyes and mouth for anemia as per his suggestion.

We spoke of Anaplasmosis and will find out in a day or two if that is the problem.  If she's got it, she will be dead.

Hardware Disease is still possible, but would likely affect appetite.

Mouth and tongue appear normal, will check more closely when I put her in the chute.  A Pm suggested Wooden Tongue. 

Thanks folks for your help.