Wobbly Calf / Sick Mom?

[DaziAcres]

At about 36 hours old our little heifer still seems a bit wobbly to me (compared to her week older 1/2 brother who was running around immediately).

We found her just born yesterday morning then when I went to check on her about 6 hours later she was off by herself and VERY lackadaisical. I got her on her feet and mom came running from where she was feeding. I don't speak cow but it was almost like, "Oh, you're alive!"

Since then we've made sure baby and mom are together every 2-3 hours but now mom has developed a wee cough, is holding her tongue out at moments like she's dehydrated, and isn't keeping the calf's butt clean.

I have the vet coming out tomorrow but any ideas until then?

[G. Seddon]

I would have them up in a pen where they are easy to get to with a place to bed down, hay and water for the cow, shelter in case of bad weather. That way you can see how they are doing without hiking all over the pasture.

Newborns do sleep quite a bit, but this sounds like a new mother with her first calf and a calf that isn't getting what it needs. Hopefully the calf got colostrum and is nursing well. Sounds like she has some problems herself.

Glad you have the vet coming to see them and hope you'll let us know what the vet says/does!

[G. Seddon]

I would have them up in a pen where they are easy to get to with a place to bed down, hay and water for the cow, shelter in case of bad weather. That way you can see how they are doing without hiking all over the pasture.

Newborns do sleep quite a bit, but this sounds like a new mother with her first calf and a calf that isn't getting what it needs. Hopefully the calf got colostrum and is nursing well. Sounds like she has some problems herself.

Glad you have the vet coming to see them and hope you'll let us know what the vet says/does!

[G. Seddon]

I would have them up in a pen where they are easy to get to with a place to bed down, hay and water for the cow, shelter in case of bad weather. That way you can see how they are doing without hiking all over the pasture.

Newborns do sleep quite a bit, but this sounds like a new mother with her first calf and a calf that isn't getting what it needs. Hopefully the calf got colostrum and is nursing well. Sounds like the mother has some problems herself.

Glad you have the vet coming to see them and hope you'll let us know what the vet says/does!

[DaziAcres]

Vet says Mom and baby are doing just fine. While the calf is still a wee bit wobbly he thinks it just may have been a difficult birth but there's nothing to worry about.

Yay!!

[MO_cows]

That's good news!

[G. Seddon]

Sorry, not sure why my reply tripled, but.....

Still curious if this is her first calf? Did the calf get colostrum?

Hope they continue to do okay for you!