3 week old calf with 3 day old abrasion

chronic66 · #1 10/29/14, 09:45 PM

I need advice. I don't know how he did it but his, what I call his left front knee, the one they use so much to lay down, has a bad abrasion about the size of a quarter or fifty cent piece. Took all the hair and skin? I can't figure out how he did it, but, I need advice on what to do now. I put iodine on it twice, yesterday I cleaned it, put iodine and wrapped it with vetwrap or what ever it is called. Today he is favoring and trying to avoid putting weight on it. Crap, how best should I treat this. He is a sweet boy. On top of that he is scouring a bit and I am keeping him hydrated. I think he is improving but it is too early to tell.

msscamp · #2 10/29/14, 10:27 PM

Is his knee warm to the touch or swollen? Have you taken his temp? If so, any fever? I wouldn't wrap it because it needs air to heal. This will not be a popular suggestion, but I would dilute peroxide with water 50/50 and spray it with that, then spray it with Blue Kote. Keep an eye on him, and repeat as necessary. How does his naval look? Any swelling or heat?

Awnry Abe · #3 10/29/14, 10:50 PM

No vet wrap on an open wound such as that. It will get dirty either way, and needs to scab up.

chronic66 · #4 10/30/14, 12:34 AM

I just went out and removed the wrap, doused it with iodine which was about all I had. It did not look too good, there was pus, the leg was actually not swollen. I hope he makes it. I will go to town first thing in the morning and try to find something that will help. I appreciate the advice for sure, thanks!

Jennifer L. · #5 10/30/14, 06:52 AM

I'm sorry to say he has joint ill. That's an infection (probably a staph) that enters the navel when the calf is born, gets in the blood stream and settles out in a joint, usually a front knee.

http://www.thecattlesite.com/disease...-ill-navel-ill

It's not a good situation, I've had calves in the past that had it, and some beat it, some died of it. I had one cow that I milked that had a knee that would break open and ooze even as an adult cow, but she walked well.

If you are going to treat it, hit it hard RIGHT NOW.

Good luck.

chronic66 · #6 10/30/14, 09:14 AM

I called a vet this morning for some advice and they told my hydro therapy, which is running water on it about three times daily and to keep it clean. I checked on him this am and he is up and about, but, not wanting to put weight on that leg. Woe is me.

Jennifer L. · #7 10/31/14, 09:28 AM

Make him work for his food and water. The knee joint will freeze up if he doesn't move it, so he has to keep moving. Don't keep him tied, for example, put him in a small pen with his water on one side, feed on the other. This kind of thing is the same thing as having had knee surgery without any physical therapy, you get limited motion out of it. He'll end up with a partially bent knee and a dropped shoulder if he isn't forced to work it.

Glad you are getting the vet for him. He has a good chance since you are going right at.

chronic66 · #8 10/31/14, 11:44 AM

Thanks Jennifer. Good advice! Yesterday after talking to the vet and following their direction, I went to the local vet supply co. I explained my situation to the young lady and she suggested an nfz puffer. I took it home and studied it on the internet. The active ingredient is the same as what they use on burn patients that have areas of infection, nitrofurazone. Anyway, so I washed the leg, applied iodine then puffed it with this puffer. I went out last night and washed it again and re-applied everything. He did not act very bright and he was kind of hiding in some weeds and brush so I just fed him his bottle there and left him. At least he was in a fairly clean place and the rather cold night air would keep the flies from bugging him. I worried that he would die in the night and this morning I went out with their bottles and he was lying kind of sprawled out by the fence, I thought he was dead. I fed the other two heifers then got his bottle and went out into the little corral area and he was up nibbling on some hay. I gave him his bottle and lifted his leg up and it seems to be healing from the outside edges. The unhealed area seems about the size of a dime or penny at most. I did notice that his knee flexed normally. I am always open to advice, thanks. I am think that nfz puffer is good stuff!

chronic66 · #9 10/31/14, 08:52 PM

I went out early this evening and his knee is obviously swollen, oh my gosh!

Lady89 · #10 11/01/14, 01:01 AM

u need to call a vet joint infections are not a thing to play around with

chronic66 · #11 11/02/14, 12:30 PM

Yesterday after calling another vet and just getting an answering machine, I felt more could be done besides the wound treatment. I went to tractor supply because they said they had penicillin in their store. I purchased a small bottle with the assistance of a very helpful and knowledgeable clerk. I came home and immediately gave him an im injection. What a difference this am. He was sitting with his head up and when he saw me with his bottle he hopped over about twenty feet and was licking my fingers. Markedly improved! I gave him another shot today. I have a little hope for him now. As a side note his very loose stools seem to have firmed up to something like soft serve ice cream.