Blood in Stool

Bubbas Boys · #1 03/07/15, 08:03 AM

Went out to feed our 2 week old Jersey bull calf this morning and I noticed that overnight he had a stool with a small smear of blood. Not really runny but loose. That does this mean and what do I do to treat him? Ate great, very active and looked fine. Thanks!

myheaven · #2 03/07/15, 10:58 AM

Do nothing at this moment. Keep a close eye on him. Keep an eye on his temperature. He may shake this on his own. Sometimes they have a little blood in the poop.

bruce2288 · #3 03/07/15, 12:32 PM

This could be coccidiosis. I treated with a product called corid in the water.

Bubbas Boys · #4 03/07/15, 01:25 PM

I have Corid. Use it or watch him?

Allen W · #5 03/07/15, 02:09 PM

Wait, a smear of blood in a baby calf's stool happens occasionally.

My experience with coccidiosis is the blood is throughout the stool not on it.

Bubbas Boys · #6 03/07/15, 03:01 PM

Was just with him and noticed that the runny pooh has chunks in it. We did statt calf starter on Thurs.

DJ in WA · #7 03/07/15, 03:39 PM

Not coccidiosis. Takes 3 weeks after exposure to the bug to get sick and he's only 2 weeks old.

Common to have a little blood spots in stool. Due to some irritation of bowel, possibly from milk replacer that didn't get digested further up, and is fermented in the colon.

Not everything needs treated, and treating can often do more harm than good. Like oral antibiotics that kill off the good bugs also.

Like you said, as long as he's eating, drinking, and active, don't worry about it. Quit looking at the crap

Actually, if you stared at your stool regularly, you'd probably be pretty worried. I recall one guy who came for dinner and we fed him beets. Few days later he went to the doctor thinking he was bleeding out.

Bubbas Boys · #8 03/08/15, 02:03 PM

You sound like my wife, she said "stop checking out his poop if he acting fine" haha. Thanks guys!

wr · #9 03/08/15, 02:21 PM

New livestock owners naturally want to protect their investment and often jump the gun on treating.

If the calf is active and otherwise appears healthy, I would take a passive approach. Not every condition is treated the same way and medicating has some drawbacks too.

In most cases, it's best to know what you're treating so you can treat it effectively rather that treating a maybe with something that might work.