Had a perfectly healthy 600 pound steer die yesterday morning. No signs of heavy breathing and was eating well. I cut him open and found about a five gallon bucket of food in his rumen. Most of it was hay, it looked like a hot dairy ration. The intestines were completely empty.
The steers are on full grain with full access to hay and pasture. The bunk usually has a little grain left over. If it were bloat there should be something in the intestines, right? I don't think it was bloat because no changes were made to their routine and the amount of hay in the rumen.
The only logical thing I can think of is a DA or twisted stomach. The empty intestines and full rumen are what leading me to that.
All the other organs looked good. No fibrous membranes around the heart, lungs and liver had good color.
Do you agree? Just trying to find an answer to hopefully sleep better.
Thanks a lot!
The steers are on full grain with full access to hay and pasture. The bunk usually has a little grain left over. If it were bloat there should be something in the intestines, right? I don't think it was bloat because no changes were made to their routine and the amount of hay in the rumen.
The only logical thing I can think of is a DA or twisted stomach. The empty intestines and full rumen are what leading me to that.
All the other organs looked good. No fibrous membranes around the heart, lungs and liver had good color.
Do you agree? Just trying to find an answer to hopefully sleep better.
Thanks a lot!
