calf not doing well, any suggestions?

mtngal · #1 04/05/06, 03:24 PM

We have a 10 week old calf. We have had her for about 3 weeks. A day after we got her, we had to call the vet. She had diarrhea, not too bad and a slight cough. He gave us antibiotics to give her, and she was fine after that.
This morning when I gave her a bottle, she had trouble taking it. No diarrhea though. She was short of breath, had to stop taking it, cough a little to clear her airway, then take some more milk. She was fine last night. My husband gave her sub q antibiotics. When I got home and checked on her, she hadn't eaten her grain. She is able to get up, she is trying to eat a little grain now. Her respirations are fast. Her breaths are shallow. Her heart rate is fast. I am going to see if I can find a thermometer. Don't know her temp.
I had read when they reach eight weeks old you don't have to be so exact with the temp of theit bottle. The last three times I gave her a bottle I didn't measure the temperature. It was warm but I didn't make sure it was between 95 and 100 degrees. I'm just kicking myself. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

agmantoo · #2 04/05/06, 03:45 PM

Describe the hair coat on this animal and the brightness or lack thereof the eyes. Sounds like the animal is badly in need of being treated for parasites.

milkinpigs · #3 04/05/06, 04:00 PM

It sounds like pneumonia/ upper respiratory problem.They shows sighns of appetite but seem to get choked when they suck the bottle.Talk to the vet and ask about an antibiotic called Nu-flor.She will need 6cc.Works quickly if you'll get right on it. You didn't cause this by giving her lukewarm milk; as long as the powder dissolved and mixes well, it's ok.

SHELBY · #4 04/05/06, 05:11 PM

I agree with milkinpigs, about the pneumonia/ upper respiratory problem..

That sometimes just tends to hang on for quite a while and little things like colder weather will cause it to act up,

Do you know what the vet gave you to give her the first time?

JeffNY · #5 04/05/06, 05:39 PM

It is pnuemonia, a shot of nuflor will fix her up. We used it on 4 Jersey heifers last March, and a couple beef cows, each one was better within days. Loss of appetite, gets a little skinny looking after a day or so, labors to breathe, that is pneumonia, happens this time of year.

Jeff

mtngal · #6 04/06/06, 09:39 AM

My husband gave her oxytetracycline yesterday. We will give her a shot today and tomorrow. She was doing better this morning. I could hear rattling while she was taking her bottle, but she seems much better. I don't know what the vet gave her the first time, maybe Nuflor, as it was just one shot. I'm thinking pneumonia also. Thanks for your responses.