Sores on calf

Final Stop Farm · #1 03/05/14, 12:18 PM

I have a problem I am hoping someone here can help me with. We bought a 6 wk old Jersey heifer 3 weeks ago. She had a sore on her pinbone that we assumed had been a scrape of some kind that got infected. The vet doctored it and it is almost well. There was a spot on her back about 1/2 in wide and 1 1/2 inches long that looked like something had scraped the hair off, but the skin was not scratched. Yesterday, I noticed the skin on this spot beginning to split. Also, she had developed a rough patch about the size of a nickle that when I brushed it, hair, hide and all came off leaving an open sore. It is not deep, just no hide. In the last three weeks, she has had two shots of antibiotics for a cough, scours, and coccidiosis which the vet gave one ounce corid for 7 days. She has also been disbudded. In other words, lots of stress. I am doctoring the spots with betadine. I am hoping this is not some sort of skin disease that is contagious since the grandkids love all over her on a dailey basis. Any input would be greatly appreciated. The spots are not oozy, the liquid in the photos is the betadine.

sv.maple · #2 03/07/14, 12:34 PM

Ring worm maybe

Jennifer L. · #3 03/08/14, 01:26 PM

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22r...w=1344&bih=724

If it starts to look like ashy, dusty patches of skin, then it's probably ringworm. Other than that, maybe it was just an irritation of the skin that then sloughed off and it will heal without fuss. Ringworm was never a big problem in my cows, but it would show up as a couple of patches here and there and gradually go away. The Google images show some bad cases that were way worse than anything I ever saw!

It would not hurt to keep grandkids away, anyway, until you see what goes on.

Cardoza Farms · #4 03/08/14, 01:26 PM

Is she still eating and drinking fine? May want to try putting bag balm on the skin to hep with splitting and flies.

hickerbillywife · #5 03/08/14, 01:52 PM

I have no advice for the cow BUT when my son was little our neighbor gave my kids a kitten. Vet said it had ringworm on its paws and gave topical med. Cat healed right up
a few days later my son developed an eye infection which later turned into a sore under his eye. Several weeks later and 4 doctors later a skin scraping was done He had ringworm in and under his eye. I told each and every doctor that this developed just after playing with a cat with ringworm and all ignored me. He is 20 and still has a scar under his eye. Watch out for any signs that kids have contracted it from the cow and always be bold when dealing with doctors. I wish I had. I had no idea you could get it in your eye

agmantoo · #6 03/08/14, 08:28 PM

Looks to me to be a warble fly grub site.

Final Stop Farm · #7 03/10/14, 08:33 PM

I am familiar with ringworm. We call the warble fly grubs "wolves," and I am familiar with that also. I do not think this is either. She is eating and playing just fine. Getting a little more stubborn than usual, but still acting just fine. No more spots have developed, and the ones she had are healing. I was afraid it was some cattle disease when the hair and hide just popped off leaving a round open sore. Thanks everyone for your input.

By the way, I use fig milk on ringworm. heals it up real quick. Robin