Maybe sick calf

joshf · #1 09/04/13, 09:04 PM

I purchased a seven month old Jersey heiffer calf a week ago tomorrow. It is vaccinated with triangle 9.
It has been very healthy seeming eating pasture and hay. I gave it a protein block last friday and it eats a little of it. Tonight I put a salt and mineral block in with it and I have seen it lick it a few times.
About 7:30 the calf was very friendly and normally grazing. At about 9:30 I had some hay delivered and my buddies wanted to see the cow. It was laying in its house. It got up when it saw us coming with the flashlight. After it was comfortable with my friends it let them pet it and was rubbing on them.
Then ,for lack of a better term,it started acting very frisky as it has been for the last day . Running around and playing with its pygmy goat pal.
Then it started making a noise like it was trying to clear it's throat or maybe a cough.
Is this something I should be worried about?
Did we maybe interrupt the cud chewing or something?
Is it the beginning of a respiratory problem?

I have some penicillin. If it is ill would that be a good treatment?

Sorry if I am over reacting but this is my first calf and I cant afford to let a very good looking animal die.

Miss Kay · #2 09/04/13, 09:12 PM

I would take its temp. If that is normal I would watch it and see if it has more mucus than usual, is it eating, drinking, chewing its cud, and is the breathing normal. Watch it in the morning and see if it stands around (or lays) more than usual and does it have the look in its eyes (you know, sort of sad and distant). If you see anything out of the normal then, get her to a vet if you have one. If you don't, then get her some antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory.

**gone-a-milkin** · #3 09/04/13, 09:17 PM

So the coughing or hacking started when it was running around?
How long did that continue?
What is she doing now?

Does she have any other symptoms like a snotty nose, watery eyes, runny poo?
How does her regular breathing sound (when she is just standing quietly). Is it raspy or labored?

Sometimes animals just cough a little, sort of like how a person might.
Not every single cough is a sign of infection.

Check her in the morning and go from there.

Cannon_Farms · #4 09/04/13, 09:18 PM

you need to try to take his temp, but it could be lung worms to pneumonia neither Penn will do much for.
Btw, is he still a bull? that breed is known to be suddenly dangerous so please use caution even if you think hes your friend.

Scraprageous · #5 09/05/13, 05:27 PM

Definitely take the temp. Since you mention this is your first calf - it is a skill you need to master (it isn't hard - lots of great you tube video's out there).

Awnry Abe · #6 09/05/13, 10:13 PM

My guess is that it isn't anything, but I would keep an eye on her for persistent resperitory symptoms. Based on your write-up, she sounds like she is healthy. Transport is a stressfull event, but it doesn't sound like she was bothered much by it. What do you know about her history? Was this a sale barn purchase or a private buy? Was she a bottle calf from a dairy? Not that the answers matter in this situation. I am just being nosy. I like little Jersey girls.

joshf · #7 09/08/13, 06:15 PM

The calf turned out to be fine. We purchased her from a dairy. He said he tried a few Jerseys but preferred holsteins so he was selling the few Jerseys he had.Not sure if she was bottle fed or not. I can not believe how fast she is growing. It rivals the pigs growth rate.
I also put a deposit on another 4 month old jersey heifer calf from a different seller. He offered to keep it on the mother for another month to save me some bottle feeding. Now I need to find a couple for beef.

Grumpy old man · #8 09/08/13, 06:24 PM

Never name your livestock !

joshf · #9 09/08/13, 06:53 PM

Well the wife and boy name everything. Even all the chickens. First batch of pigs were ham sausage and bacon so as to never forget what they were destined for.

myheaven · #10 09/08/13, 09:25 PM

I name all my live stock. Matter of fat yesterday web I had my dh party. I told everyone they were eating spot and Molly. No one batted an eye.

myheaven · #11 09/08/13, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshf

Well the wife and boy name everything. Even all the chickens. First batch of pigs were ham sausage and bacon so as to never forget what they were destined for.

Where you at joshf? We can't quite help you find your beefers if we do not know where you are.

joshf · #12 09/10/13, 05:05 PM

I am in Western Pa. About 90 minutes north of Pittsburgh. I appreciate all the help i can get.