Treating navel ill?

[mamahen]

I've read and reread and read again...but I want to get this straight.

One calf had a smelly navel/umbilical cord when we brought him home. That was almost one week ago (he is one week old today).

I was treating with iodine 2 times a day, wiping it off. It isn't as smelly anymore, but is swollen & red compared to the other 2. He is a little more wobbly in the rear that the other 2. But eating well. And no one is scouring anymore!

So, the vet has given me procaine penicillin to inject, 3 cc, twice a day, for 5-7 days. The receptionist wasn't sure if it was sub-c or i.m. Also, from everything that I've read, you want to give it in the neck "triangle" so that it doesn't form a lesion in the meat.

So first question is does this treatment sound right to you?

Second sub c or i.m.?

[Madsaw]

IM, and yes this treatment is correct. The spaceing of the shots twice a day keeps the level of pennicillin up in the blood. Also by giving it in the neck you will not chance hitting teh nevres in the back leg causing the leg not to function correctly for a few days.
Bob

[mamahen]

Ok, what happens if I give it SQ instead of IM? I've given lots of SQ, no IM, and these calves are pretty boney - I don't think I can find a place to give 14 shots IM in the neck!

[Madsaw]

You could start out the first couple of days twice aday then do both doses in one shot each day. SQ will not absorb in to their sytstem fast enough to give them the level of meds they need right away. The carrier for pennecillin does not allow for rapid asorbsion in SQ but works the best if IM
Bob