calf issue help please

lonelyfarmgirl · #1 09/27/11, 10:27 PM

One of my calves, I think might be coming down with what I will call 'bottle pnemonia'. I don't know how to deal with this. The only calves I have ever had with this issue before were holsteins, and it never ended well no matter what I did. Holsteins were always non-thrify though. This is one of my beef highlanders. We are coming into the fall wet season and then straight to the blizzards. Suggestions about what to do?

When I had this issue before when we were raising the occasional holstein or 2, the vet always said use this antibiotic, that antibiotic, it never worked.

lonelyfarmgirl · #2 09/28/11, 12:37 PM

Your kidding right? Not one person has ever dealt with this, nor have any suggestion?

gwithrow · #3 09/28/11, 12:48 PM

well if it were my calf I would be giving some LA 200 subcu.....and then call the vet...see if you can get a more powerful antibiotic from them....it might even help to get the calf off the bottle, and even onto a bucket....sometimes it is the angle that the bottle is held at...is it inside? out of the wind? and damp as much as possible.....?? good luck

Vickie44 · #4 09/28/11, 12:50 PM

I have had Holstein calves with this problem , the worst was one I lent to a local orchards petting zoo, she was being fed milk from a bucket on the ground. The antibiotics helped ,the problem was getting her to eat while she was sick. I spent alot of time with that baby , putting pcs of grain and hay in her mouth and keeping her warm and she made it.
It sounds like you already know not to feed milk in a way that it gets in their lungs . Good luck

lonelyfarmgirl · #5 09/28/11, 12:51 PM

I always hold my bottles low and upside down, exactly like a teat would be to avoid such a thing. We learned that when we were raising holsteins.
I am trying today to switch her to a bucket, but she apparently would rather starve.

MO_cows · #6 09/28/11, 12:53 PM

"bottle pneumonia" is too vague. How about temperature and specific symptoms? I still couldn't help you, never raised a bottle calf and hope I never have to. But why not provide some specific info. for the ones with experience to evaluate and respond to?

ozark_jewels · #7 09/28/11, 01:19 PM

If its truly pnuemonia, I'd be giving Nuflor and Banamine. The Banamine helps them feel better and keeps the lungs from scarring while the Nuflor clears up the pnuemonia. Has worked great for me. Don't waste time treating with penG or other average antibiotics if it is pnuemonia in a calf, imo.

lonelyfarmgirl · #8 09/28/11, 03:08 PM

periodic coughing, most prevalent after drinking, some snot, and gurgly breathing, but not all the time, mostly post drinking. she also coughs after she moos.

lasergrl · #9 09/28/11, 09:41 PM

Nuflor +++

Also have a tube feeder handy if she stops eating on her own.

Why is she a bottle baby? Might have something to do with the pneumonia.

lonelyfarmgirl · #10 09/28/11, 10:33 PM

her mother got struck by lightning when she was three days old. she is 2 months old now and this just started a few days ago. she eats hay and grass real good and is chewing her cud for a while now.

lawrruh · #11 09/28/11, 11:03 PM

When my holstein calf's pen mate got sick, i gave them both Liquamycin LA-200. Mine just as a precautionary reason and she never got sick.. the calf that was sick got better pretty fast! I hope she feels better!!!!

VaFarmer · #12 09/28/11, 11:21 PM

at 2 months thats a pretty goodstart on the bottle, usually only go about 6 weeks. If it's worse after the bottle would be real suspecious about milk in the lungs. I was taught to take there head and fold it down between there front legs and see if milk comes out the nose in a little bit. But at 2 mths that may not be a good option if he's strong. I use the LA 200 when in dought, try to give them a couple of cc's at the first sign of anything. If in doubt give the vet a call & see what they think.

mamahen · #13 09/29/11, 10:57 AM

Out of our last 6 bottle calves 2 would get really phlegmmy after a bottle. We only use the bottle for a week or so, then switch to a bucket. We give milk for about 2 months.

Theres no reason to keep giving her a bottle. Will she suck on your fingers vigorously? Lead her to the bucket of milk with them. It took 3 days (twice a day) to get my last one bucket trained. I had to finally stick the rubber nipple in the bucket a few feeds, until it clicked in his head.

I have 2 right now, one was really phlegmmy & snotty. Coughed after his bottle. After I switched to the bucket, he was fine (took about 3-4 days to quit coughing).

He is still a vigorous eater - and sticks his whole snout in the milk bucket. I have to hold his tightly, because he still bunts the bucket.

Is she drinking water well? If she's getting a good, high protein quality calf starter (at least 16%), I would wean her from the milk.

Oh - my last 5 bottle babies were all holsteins. Straight from the farm, no auction calves. They all did great ( with a little help and coddling from me).

Madsaw · #14 09/30/11, 07:04 AM

LFG,
Also another drugs to use would be SMZ tablets from teh vet. Which with a 2 month old would take alot of time giveing every feeding. So SusTain III would work. You can get tehn from Farm and FLeet and Fleet and farm. Use them along with Nuflur or Draxxin.
If you get a chance, this next week take a trip over to teh dairy expo in madison. Walk around and talk to teh differnet vendors about all teh products out their for calves.
Bob