running noise and eyes, calf

[jvicars]

i have a small bull calf that just noticed white mucus coming out of his noise and some around the eyes. This just started today. Should i treat him with antibotics or just wait to see what happens? He is eating and acting normal but i dont want to loose him to my inexperience. Thanks.

[brouwer]

Give him 5cc of Baytril. This is a really good antiobotic.

[Tango]

If your calf is not yet ruminating I would hold off on antibiotics. If this a bottle baby or is he on mom? If he's on mom, she will take care of it, most likely, just keep an eye on him. If it is from shipping, or a stressed bottle calf it could get better on its own. Add probiotics to his bottle, or topdress his feed, make sure he sleeps in a draft -free place, keep his meals at predictable (to him) times, let him have good hay free choice or clean pasture, and clean bedding (moisture is a horrible thing for a baby calf). If your nights drop below 60 and he's under 3 weeks of age, I've added half a tablespoon of melted butter to my bottles for the extra calories he'll need to keep warm. If you have all the above covered and he worsens, I'd give him 4.5 cc's of Biomycin. It lasts 3 days in the bloodstream and is non-stinging. If not Biomycin, LA200 is readily available at feed stores. If you give him antibiotics you have to give him probiotics. The antibiotics will be hard on his developing rumen. The above is for pre-ruminating calves. I hope he gets better quickly.

[myersfarm]

I think we need to know just how big is this small bull calf how many pounds it could be 100 or 400 treatment will be different and if born on farm or did he just get it from sale barn

[jvicars]

Follow up on question - I noted the calf had a runny noise and eggs the other day. Since then I have not noted any other signs of this. The calf is a bull calf that was thrown into a deal when i bought a hiefer and her hiefer calf. He is pretty small and the cow with the calf does not left him nurse. He is eatting and looks pretty good overall. He is tiny and I have had him for 4 weeks so far. I will keep my fingers crossed. I tried to nurse him with a bottle without success. Thanks.

[francismilker]

I agree fully with Brouwer, 5cc of Baytril could do wonders. I use it for everything.