Eamon O’Connell: If your animal seems drunk and wobbly, there’s probably something seriously wrong
Dehydration, acidosis and vitamin B deficiency are all possible causes – and in each case, prompt action is paramount
‘Calves with scour can also suffer from acidosis, a condition where the pH of the blood decreases, causing them to appear subdued and almost drunk’ Photo: Getty
I had put in a tough day. The morning had been spent scanning cows — breeding is in full swing and we are examining cows that haven’t been seen bulling over the past few weeks and also, cows that have a history of problems such as difficult calvings, retained cleanings or milk fever.
The aim is to get theses cows cycling ASAP, to give them the best chance of staying in the herd next year. It’s a rewarding job as I feel we are adding real value to the farm we are scanning for.
