Stupid me

[chester5731]

I have a month old calf that hasn't been acting right the last couple days. I gave him a shot of penicillin in the left hip. Almost immediately after he could not stand on his left rear leg. If he was standing still he was ok. As soon as he used that leg he went down. When I gave him the shot I felt the needle hit the bone and backed off some before injecting. Did I totally screw him up? I know when I used to get injections in my knees if the Doc hit the bone it really hurt. Hopefully it will pass in a day or two. Any thoughts?

[G. Seddon]

Why would you give antibiotics when you don't even know what the problem is? Does he have a fever? Is he off feed? Is he lethargic? Is he still with his mother?

I have no idea what the consequences of your injection location will be; I'd suggest you contact your vet and ask. I hope the calf will be okay.

I'd also suggest that you get a book on basic cattle care and read it; anything by Heather Smith Thomas will help you.

Here, read this:

http://www.cattletoday.com/archive/2...ber/CT2583.php

[chester5731]

I guess I don't understand how you figured I don't know what is wrong with the calf and whether or not I consulted with a Vet. All I said was that he isn't right and what I gave him.

[BlackWillowFarm]

Had the same thing happen to me. Calf needed a shot, dairy farmer did it for me and then next thing I know the calf is falling down when she tries to walk. Gets up and is dragging that leg around. Scared the @#$^$ out of me. I thought I'd just screwed up my best heifer calf. That was a year or so ago. In fact, I forgot all about it until I read your post. If I remember right, she was back to normal the next day. I did leave her in a stall overnight by herself just to be safe.

I bet your calf will be fine by morning.

[chester5731]

Carla, I sure hope you are right. He is in a stall by himself.

[myheaven]

most likely hit the nerve a little. Once the sting wears off her should be fine.

[chester5731]

Well, when I went out to do chores this morning the little fella was laying down. By the time I got his bottle over to him he was standing at the door waiting. He is moving slow but when I left the barn he was still up. I still feel bad for the little guy.

[BlackWillowFarm]

Glad to hear he's up and moving around. Hope he's feeling better from the antibiotic too.

[G. Seddon]

Originally Posted by chester5731

I guess I don't understand how you figured I don't know what is wrong with the calf and whether or not I consulted with a Vet. All I said was that he isn't right and what I gave him.

Okay then, what IS wrong with the calf?
Did you consult with a vet?
Foolish me -- I ASSumed you were inexperienced because, for starters, you gave this calf a shot in the hip and this location is never recommended anymore.

It's your calf -- do whatever you want. I'm done with this thread.

[wr]

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

Okay then, what IS wrong with the calf?
Did you consult with a vet?
Foolish me -- I ASSumed you were inexperienced because, for starters, you gave this calf a shot in the hip and this location is never recommended anymore.

It's your calf -- do whatever you want. I'm done with this thread.

I've never heard of a vet recommending a shot in the hip either and I've been in the industry for a few decades.

[SteveO]

please explain Chester???

[BlackWillowFarm]

Why the witch hunt? Chester posted with an honest question about his calf and you guys are jumping all over him. What's up with that? It's his calf and he can do what he wants with it. At least he's taking care of it and cares enough to post his concerns. Why such attitude? Sheesh.

[oregon woodsmok]

Originally Posted by chester5731

..... As soon as he used that leg he went down. .......

He'll get over it.

Occasionally, the vaccine will get into a nerve or press against a nerve. As soon as the vaccine is absorbed, the problem stops.

For the rest of you readers, if you are beginning with livestock, give the shot so that the needle is pointing up. It's rare to get an abscess, but if the shot site develops an abscess, the hole from the needle is pointing downward and it will drain easier.

[wr]

Originally Posted by BlackWillowFarm

Why the witch hunt? Chester posted with an honest question about his calf and you guys are jumping all over him. What's up with that? It's his calf and he can do what he wants with it. At least he's taking care of it and cares enough to post his concerns. Why such attitude? Sheesh.

I didn't see any witch hunt but I did see a long standing and very helpful member prepared to offer some advice and in turn get told that their advice was unwelcome.

Certainly, an owner can do whatever they want to their animals but once in a while they can avoid a mistake or two and life is a lot better for the animal.

People are quick to mention that experienced people don't want to help newbies. Would you care to guess why?

[Lazy J]

One of the principles of Beef Quality Assurance is to NEVER give shots in the rear. The potential for affecting the quality of the high value cuts in the round compared to the chuck is the main reason for this recommendation.

[MDKatie]

The neck would be a much better location for IM (and sub Q) injections. You won't have as much worry about hitting bone, there's a larger muscle mass (with dairy especially), and you won't damage the quality meat cuts.

[wr]

I'm actually quite surprised that your vet would suggest you give a shot in the hip.

[Jersey/guernsey]

I have always given IM injections in the leg (at my vets suggestion), but the neck seems like it might work better, the cow won't have to stand on a sore leg!
Thanks for the pic

[BlackWillowFarm]

Originally Posted by wr

I didn't see any witch hunt but I did see a long standing and very helpful member prepared to offer some advice and in turn get told that their advice was unwelcome.

Certainly, an owner can do whatever they want to their animals but once in a while they can avoid a mistake or two and life is a lot better for the animal.

People are quick to mention that experienced people don't want to help newbies. Would you care to guess why?

"People are quick to mention that experienced people don't want to help newbies. Would you care to guess why?"

Maybe if the experienced people would stay on topic things wouldn't go south as fast and the people asking questions would feel a little more open to asking their questions without wondering if they were going to be criticized by the people who have the knowledge to help them.


What I saw was a member asking a question about a reaction his calf had to a shot and the first person to respond didn't have anything helpful to say but seemed to criticize using an antibiotic on a calf instead. The OP wasn't asking if he should have given medicine to his calf, or if he should have called his vet. He wanted to know what might have gone wrong after giving an injection and a few posters didn't address that concern but chose to act as if they disapproved of him giving medicines to a calf or questioned whether he'd called the vet instead. That wasn't helpful at all. It was insulting.

[CraterCove]

What I saw, as a cattle newling myself, was insufficient information in a post to draw any conclusion about the OP except that they are inexperienced. ~shrug~ Saw nothing wrong with what G. said.

It's a choice to be offended.