Help! Sick 2 day old calf

Glenda in MS · #1 02/15/11, 10:51 AM

Small PineyWoods bull calf about 40 pounds, weak suck reflex yesterday and today. Born Sunday morning, calf seemed vigorous, nursed vigorously, looked good, but 1/2 size of cslf born on Feb 8.

Yesterday found him lethargic, poor suckle reflex, 102F temp, flourescent yellow poop, unable to nurse. He also had some tendon stiffness in front legs, gave shot for that. Gave an esophogeal feeding with colostrum and took to vet. Vet gave fever reducer, long acting antibiotic injection and said to continue tube feeding until calf could nurse. Put a calf jacket on calf for warmth and returned to one mad momma cow.

Witness calf nursing this morning, it still has that sticky stinky yellow poop?? Anything else I need to do?

All of our calvves this spring are BULLS! Dadburnit!

linn · #2 02/15/11, 11:02 AM

The only thing I can think of is you might give him a drench of liquid electrolyte solution in case he is dehydrated.

Glenda in MS · #3 02/15/11, 11:07 AM

Thank you, I will try that!

myersfarm · #4 02/15/11, 11:54 AM

same here not knowing what the vet gave ...check every few hours....liquid electrolyte solution is about all you can do

MO_cows · #5 02/15/11, 12:21 PM

If he nursed on his own this morning, sounds like you are headed in the right direction. 40 pounds is tiny, maybe he is a bit premature so just not as strong?

Glenda in MS · #6 02/16/11, 12:24 PM

Calf is doing great! Thanks for the help!

linn · #7 02/16/11, 05:04 PM

Great news!