Drugs for Hauling/Show Stress

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simba

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Aug 18, 2011
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Saskatchewan, Canada
At the end of the month I'll be taking five head to the Canadian Junior Hereford Show in Lindsay, Ontario. The trip will be about 40 hours over three days, with rest stops planned every night where the cattle can get out of the trailer and move around freely. They will then have two full days to rest and fill up before any of the competitions start.

I'm just wondering what you guys recommend I treat them with to prevent them from getting sick. I've used Draxxin for long trips like this in the past and had good luck but was just wondering if there's anything a little cheaper that would do the same job. I don't have a problem buying Draxxin if that's the best thing out there, just trying to keep my options open.

They're already getting kelp meal to help with the heat stress. Thanks in advance.
 

aj

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I always wondered about marajuana. With marajuana legal in Colorado......I assume that some of the show jocks have tried the edible form on cattle. Are cattle ever tested for marajuana. just asking
 

Barry Farms

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aj said:
I always wondered about marajuana. With marajuana legal in Colorado......I assume that some of the show jocks have tried the edible form on cattle. Are cattle ever tested for marajuana. just asking

(clapping) (lol)
 

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aj

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There are some grad students and R and D people starting to look at using weed in cattle rations. Appetite? If you had a pen of cattle in the summer and you could increase their feed intake to say 40 pounds instead of 30.......or what ever......depending on rations........? Its all about cost though. If the weed industry did take off and costs went way down.......and there was some kind of waste product left over similar to distillers grain......It's way out there  and in the future. It would give a new meaning to the term......"grass fed beef" though. Think of the niche marketing opportunities.
 

HAB

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North Dakota
I don't like giving antibiotics to cattle unless they need it.  The stress usually shuts the bacteria down in the guts, antibiotics compound that.  IMO

We fed Hydro Lac supplement to the cattle 2-3 weeks ahead of travel.  The cattle drank at every opportunity they had.  Keeping them hydrated is the best thing one can do for them on long trips.
 

simba

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Saskatchewan, Canada
HAB said:
I don't like giving antibiotics to cattle unless they need it.  The stress usually shuts the bacteria down in the guts, antibiotics compound that.  IMO

We fed Hydro Lac supplement to the cattle 2-3 weeks ahead of travel.  The cattle drank at every opportunity they had.  Keeping them hydrated is the best thing one can do for them on long trips.

Thank you for commenting and taking my post seriously! I will look into Hydro Lac. I grew up always giving antibiotics before long trips but I certainly would rather not spend the money if it's not necessary.

Does anyone else have recommendations on drugs or reasons to not give antibiotics for long hauls? 
 

Mainevent

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Decatur Texas
I would see if you can get vita charge boluses. If you can get those that works wonders, give them some before you leave then when you get to your destination give them some. Not sure if you can get ameraferm products in Canada. But that is what I would recommend.
 

angus214

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Florence, Mississippi
We use Vita Charge paste when traveling and we keep everything on Sure Champ! If you can get Vita Ferm products it would be well worth a try! We try not to give antibiotics unless we have to. We are in the south and it doesn't take much to upset the gut.
 

rackranch

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This is good, I would also look at Rep-Gel Plus!! My favorite.

Replamin Plus Gel is a supplemental source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, formulated to be fed during periods of stress, such as weaning, transportation, showing, and other times when feed intakes may be decreased, as well as any other time that supplemental nutrients may be beneficial for animals which may have deficiencies.

Magnesium is the first ingredient in Replamin Plus Gel, and it is important because deficiencies have been shown to reduce calving rates, thereby reducing milk production, as well affecting the rate of gain and vigor in calves. Grass tetany, also called hypomagnesemia, is a deficiency in Magnesium, which can result in results in erratic and nervous behavior, excessive urination, twitching of facial muscles, convulsions, and eventually death.

Magnesium is necessary for hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body. It also works to help maintain normal nerve and muscle function, steady heart rhythm, support your animals' immune systems, and keep bones strong.

Potassium is also included because it is an important mineral for the proper function of all organs, cells, and tissues. It is is crucial to heart function and it also has an important role in smooth muscle contraction. Potassium deficiencies can cause stiff joints, reduced intake, and weight loss.

Manganese is a trace mineral, present in tiny amounts in the body. It helps to form bones, connective tissues, blood-clotting factors, and sex hormones. It is necessary for normal nerve and brain function and helps to fight free-radicals.

Selenium, a trace mineral that is required only in small amounts, but is essential to good health, is incorporated into proteins to make important antioxidant enzymes called selenoproteins, which are. The antioxidant properties of selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-products of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease [2,3]. Other selenoproteins help regulate thyroid function and play a role in the immune system [4-7]. Selenium:  white muscle disease (primarily in sheep), retained placentas and reduced reproductive efficiency.

Replamin Plus Gel also utilizes the power of vitamins. Vitamin A is an important growth factor for tissues and cells, while Vitamin D and E are antioxidants that protect against microbial invaders.


angus214 said:
We use Vita Charge paste when traveling and we keep everything on Sure Champ! If you can get Vita Ferm products it would be well worth a try! We try not to give antibiotics unless we have to. We are in the south and it doesn't take much to upset the gut.
 

simba

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Aug 18, 2011
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Saskatchewan, Canada
I really appreciate all the info that I've received from you guys! So far the plan is to stock up on electrolytes but also keep looking into other products. I've decided not to Draxxin my animals before the trip.

I emailed the Hydro Lac company and they said I can't get it in Canada. HAB was even so kind as to offer to bring it to Ontario for me when he's there but unfortunately we won't be in the same place at the same time.

I emailed Ameraferm on July 10 and they haven't replied yet but I'm 99% certain that I can't get their products in Canada. It's frustrating knowing what's available but not being able to get it without making a trip to the states.

Rackranch- I will check out Rep-Gel Plus.
 

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