If you are looking for an animal hospital in Fredericksburg that provides reliable bovine care, the veterinary professionals at Confederate Ridge Animal Hospital are ready to assist you. On average, cattle live between 18 and 22 years, although some can live more than 25 years. However, rescued animals are more prone to health problems that are associated with a shorter life span. Our veterinarian will assess the condition of your cattle, identify any underlying health problems, and provide treatment accordingly.

Bovine Nutritional Needs

Cattle have many nutritional needs that you should keep in mind as well, such as the following:

  • Water: Cattle always need to have access to clean and fresh water. A mature animal will consume 10 to 20 gallons of water every day, so you should use a container that is large enough to hold that much. Dehydration can be fatal.
  • Salt and mineral licks: Make sure these are always available to your cattle. You can purchase salt blocks and specially designed holders for them at most feed stores. A salt block with selenium is recommended if you live somewhere that has soil that is deficient in selenium. Trace mineral blocks are also available.
  • Feed: Cattle are ruminants, meaning their stomachs have four chambers. They rely primarily on hay or pasture to fulfill dietary needs. Grain is not recommended for healthy cattle, as it is very high in fat and energy. You may want to supplement hay or pasture with grain in animals who have difficulty keeping their weight up. You should keep in mind that altered males may develop bladder and kidney stones when they are fed grain, so you might want to consider hay stretcher pellets instead. These pellets can be made into a mash for older and thinner animals who have difficulty consuming hay.
  • Pasture: When available, pasture covers the majority of cattle dietary needs. Make sure that pasture is of good quality and that there is plenty of it. You should also be sure to remove all plants that could be poisonous to your cattle. Adult cattle will need between two and four pounds of grass-type hay for every 100 pounds of body weight every day.

Contact Our Animal Hospital for Bovine Care in Fredericksburg

If you live in Fredericksburg and are looking for an animal hospital for bovine care, contact Confederate Ridge Animal Hospital today. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us today at (540) 373-6100.

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