Naval Ill or Hernia

[veme]

I'm stumped.
I've got a $20 -6 week old dairy bull calf that has developed either naval ill or a hernia. I talked to the vet by phone & he thinks it's probably a hernia - but we're treating it like navel ill just in case - LA200 & swabbing iodine.

A dairy neighbor,his dad & hired man (who I email pics to) says it looks like navel ill them- I think it's a hernia.

What do you think?


Vet says it's not worth treatment if it's a hernia & ship the calf (after 28 days for drug withdrawal).



Anybody have success treating hernia?
Advice is appreciated.
Thank you

[linn]

I think this looks like a job for the vet.

[myersfarm]

WHY does it look wet and hairless

[veme]

Originally Posted by linn

I think this looks like a job for the vet.

I called the vet - he's not coming . I'm on my own.
In his defense -it's a $20 calf and he doesn't get out of the truck for less than $55.

[veme]

Originally Posted by myersfarm

WHY does it look wet and hairless

I don't know

At first I thought maybe the calf in the pen next to him was sucking him - but I don't think so.
When I feel him I don't feel a solid mass and it doesn't seem tender or filled with pus.
I think I can feel his penis and the swelling is around it - but maybe that's a hernia and not swelling.
I just don't know & I'm really stumped.
I was hoping somebody over here has seen it before.

[myersfarm]

ok if your up for it to find out ...try to feed the penis though that and see if it comes out ...should be easier by pulling up on skin feeling with hands on out side...when you can see penis then feel of side for swelling.....I feel since it is wet the other calf is sucking it...

[springvalley]

I think it is just from another calf sucking on it , I think a bit of antibiotics would do it. Do you have another calf ? or did this happen at the other farm? > Marc

[veme]

The antibiotics so far aren't helping.
The calf in the next pen probably isn't sucking - that's what I thought at first too.
I've watched them - they suck mouths but that's it.

I'm going to give more LA 200 today with another iodine wash hope that a second dose will help.

Thanks for the response

[springvalley]

Trust me I know or think I know what a calf that has been sucked on looks like. Where did you get the calf? It may have happened before you got it, I do think it had happened before you got it. > Thanks Marc

[veme]

Originally Posted by springvalley

Trust me I know or think I know what a calf that has been sucked on looks like. Where did you get the calf? It may have happened before you got it, I do think it had happened before you got it. > Thanks Marc

Marc -
I've had the calf for 6 weeks since he was 4 days old. He's been in the same pen for 6 weeks.

His ears & mouth have been sucked but not his under belly.

[prairiegirl]

We have treated navel ill with penicillan with very good results.