Re-warming Methods for Cold-stressed Newborn Calves

[myersfarm]

Re-warming Methods for Cold-stressed Newborn Calves

Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist

Last winter was one of the mildest winters in recent history and so far this winter, most of Oklahoma has escaped any sub-zero temperatures. Nonetheless, before the spring calving season is over, there is a chance that some calves will be born in very cold winter temperatures. Newborn calves that are not found for several hours after birth and have been exposed to extremely cold temperatures may become hypothermic or very cold stressed.

Years ago an Oklahoma rancher called to tell of the success he had noticed in using a warm water bath to revive new born calves that had been severely cold stressed. A quick check of the scientific data on that subject bears out his observation.

Canadian animal scientists compared methods of reviving hypothermic or cold stressed baby calves. Heat production and rectal temperature were measured in 19 newborn calves during hypothermia (cold stress) and recovery when four different means of assistance were provided. Hypothermia of 86o F rectal temperature was induced by immersion in cold water. Calves were re-warmed in a 68 to 77o F air environment where thermal assistance was provided by added thermal insulation or by supplemental heat from infrared lamps. Other calves were re-warmed by immersion in warm water (100o F), with or without a 40cc drench of 20% ethanol in water. Normal rectal temperatures before cold stress were 103o F. The time required to regain normal body temperature from a rectal temperature of 86oF was longer for calves with added insulation and those exposed to heat lamps than for the calves in the warm water and warm water plus ethanol treatments (90 and 92 minutes versus 59 and 63 minutes, respectively).

During recovery, the calves re-warmed with the added insulation and heat lamps had to use up more body heat metabolically than the calves re-warmed in warm water. Total heat production during recovery was nearly twice as great for the calves with added insulation, exposed to the heat lamps than for calves in warm water and in warm water plus an oral drench of ethanol, respectively. This body heat production leaves the calves with less energy to maintain body temperature when returned to the cold environment.

By immersion of hypothermic calves in warm (100o F) water, normal body temperature was regained most rapidly and with minimal metabolic effort; no advantage was evident from oral administration of ethanol. When immersing these baby calves, do not forget to support the head above the water to avoid drowning the calf that you are trying to save. Also make certain that they have been thoroughly dried before returning to the cold weather and the mother. With today’s calf prices and high feed cost inputs, it is imperative to save as many calves as possible.

Source: Robinson and Young. Univ. of Alberta. J. Anim. Sci., 1988.

[rancher1913]

interesting but not very practical for my operation, take to long to get a tank full of hot water, I guess the bath tub would work in a pinch. we have one of those warming huts that the top comes off and you set the calf in and put the top back on, has worked fine for the few times we've needed it. I try to make sure all the momma's can get in a barn if they need to calf in a freak blizzard, prevention always works best. thanks for the info though, never know when it might be the best idea.

[francismilker]

Many a dairyman have brought cold babies inside in the winter to give a warm bath. I don't deal with it in my neck of the woods, but those UpNorth have seen it before.

[copperhead46]

I've done it, save a babys life, for sure.

[ksfarmer]

I've done it with calves several times, it is a quicker warmup. The main problem was that sometimes the mother cow wouldn't claim her calf cause he no longer smelled right. We did it many times with lambs and also had good results. It's a lot easier and takes a lot less water to warm a lamb instead of a calf. LOL. Might add that the DW wasn't real thrilled at this use of the bath tub.

[MO_cows]

Knock wood, never had to do that - yet. We had a surprise calf right after Christmas, found it in the morning and it had gotten down around 10 degrees that night. The little booger was up following mom around and going strong. Mom must have done a good job getting her licked dry before the ear tips froze.

[nosqrls]

Had one in the house for two weeks ounce then gave her back to mom gave the calf one bottle a day for about a week. To be sure she was getting enough what she didn't drink mom did.

[CaliannG]

To keep the calf smelling right for the cow, put it in a black garbage bag, up to the neck, before immersion. Also keeps you from having to wait until the animal is completely dry to return it to its mother....as the calf never gets wet.

This is what my DH's family, who live in Colorado, used for decades, and I adopted it for use in smaller stock as well. The garbage bag does not inhibit the warming of immersion in a bathtub. Also keeps dirt, goo, or other debris from the bathtub if one has a picky spouse.