If market steer has an abscess, should it be lanced or treated with medicine?

[Sambosu]

I have brought up this before but nothing has seemed to get my son's market steer back on feed.  He seems hungry and will go to town on the feed for about 5 minutes and then leave the feeder.  Last night my animal chiropractor found a lump under his jaw and his jaw felt a little swollen.  He thinks he has an abscess.  About the time he went off feed, I caught him eating some briars (only thing green in my pasture) and immediately put an electric fence around the trees with the briars.  Shortly afterwards he seemed to really slow down on his eating.  I assumed it was because he was slowing down due to almost being finished and a hard finisher because he is out of Eye Candy.  I have an appointment with a veterinarian tomorrow morning. If it is an abscess, should I have it lanced/treated or leave it alone and give him antibiotics?  I am asking this cause I've heard some folks say it made things worse when they lanced an abscess.

 

[RyanChandler]

I would take the vets advice.  If the absess is hindering his eating, I would want to get it done as soon as possible.  Sooner he recovers sooner he can get back on feed

 

[blackdiamond]

absess, or tooth problem?  Either one could be?  I'd try and fix it.

 

[chambero]

I've been guilty of mickey-mousing around with an issue because they are "show calves" and almost every time I've regretted it.  Unless the vet says otherwise, lance it and get it out of there.  

Over the years, I've had several abscesses of various types lanced on show calves and never had a bad experience because of it.  

 

[Sambosu]

Thanks for the replies. I got an appointment with the vet tomorrow. It will kind of be a relief if the vet says he has an abscess or tooth problem because at least I will know what the problem is and we still have time to fix and finish the calf.

 

[OH Breeder]

Thanks for the replies. I got an appointment with the vet tomorrow. It will kind of be a relief if the vet says he has an abscess or tooth problem because at least I will know what the problem is and we still have time to fix and finish the calf.

(thumbsup)

You would be surprised how quickly an abscess can create larger issues for you. If its an impacted tooth that may also cause eating issues. Update if you could will help others with your same issues.

 

[Sambosu]

Want to give an update regarding my son's steer, in case others have this problem.  The vet confirmed the steer had an abscess but by the time I noticed and took him to the vet, his body was in the process of healing it.  The vet couldn't get any liquid out of the abscess and then proceeded to inject some medicine into the abscess to help dry it up all the way. He also gave him an antibiotic in case he had an infection.  Also, due to the calf not eating well, I was told by the vet to give him some type of bolus that is supposed to increase his appetite.  This bolus is given to him once a week. Not sure the name of the bolus but it is made by some small company in Oklahoma that specializes in natural feed supplements. Since he has only had one bolus, can't really say if it is working.  The calf is eating his bermuda and alfalfa very well but not as much grain as I think he should be eating.

 

[RyanChandler]

Feed him roughage only once he's eaten his grain.