LizHartley1991
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About three days ago, one of our cows had 2 calves. Unfortunately one died and the mama freaked out and abandoned the body along with the other calf. I named her Mira (short for Miracle).
Mira was brought to me to try to care for. In the past I had a 4-6 week premature calf that I was able to raise back to health after getting it a steroid shot and a pill (Can't recall the pill since it's been eight years).
Mira is very small. I have a full grown Boxer that weighs more and is almost bigger than her. I can feel her ribs when I pet her. Her fur feels soft if not a little dry. Her eyes are red tinted and slightly glassy with some wetness coming out (It looks like tears). She can open her eyes but she often looks scared and wide eyed.
Mira can stand. At first she could only stand if we picked her up. Now she's able to get up, though she doesn't stay standing for long. She lays down and is lethargic like.
I have gotten Mira a shot from our vet and got colostrum in her. I've also gotten electrolyte and pick me up formula inside her. She seems to want to eat the hay lying around her but only nudges it with her nose and tongue. Her tongue also occasionally just wants to poke out a bit.
I'm wonder if she may have a form of scours. Or if the birthing was just that traumatic that she's in shock? She tries to get up and explore but then plops back down and curls up in a ball.
Her nose is wet and I've tried the dehydration test on her - pinching around the neck and checking her eyes etc. - and while she doesn't seem dehydrated I can just tell she's not getting enough to eat or drink. I get the bottle of replacement formula in her and she'll suck with vigor for awhile but then just stops and rips the bottle away or tries to get away from it. That's when her tongue sticks out the most is after these feedings...
I'm worried it is scour and that I'm not giving her enough help. But the vet - at the last visit on Mira's first day - said she'd need a lot of tlc and that the next 72 Hours were crucial to getting her going... I feel like I'm failing her and it's frustrating.
The only thing I haven't tried it bucket feeding. I have a bucket ready to try but she seems freaked out by it... The other step is a feeding tube down her, but I'm actually terrified to try that because I've never done it before and I'd be terrified of hurt her...
I'm hoping maybe you all have some suggestions? It's only my second calf...
Mira was brought to me to try to care for. In the past I had a 4-6 week premature calf that I was able to raise back to health after getting it a steroid shot and a pill (Can't recall the pill since it's been eight years).
Mira is very small. I have a full grown Boxer that weighs more and is almost bigger than her. I can feel her ribs when I pet her. Her fur feels soft if not a little dry. Her eyes are red tinted and slightly glassy with some wetness coming out (It looks like tears). She can open her eyes but she often looks scared and wide eyed.
Mira can stand. At first she could only stand if we picked her up. Now she's able to get up, though she doesn't stay standing for long. She lays down and is lethargic like.
I have gotten Mira a shot from our vet and got colostrum in her. I've also gotten electrolyte and pick me up formula inside her. She seems to want to eat the hay lying around her but only nudges it with her nose and tongue. Her tongue also occasionally just wants to poke out a bit.
I'm wonder if she may have a form of scours. Or if the birthing was just that traumatic that she's in shock? She tries to get up and explore but then plops back down and curls up in a ball.
Her nose is wet and I've tried the dehydration test on her - pinching around the neck and checking her eyes etc. - and while she doesn't seem dehydrated I can just tell she's not getting enough to eat or drink. I get the bottle of replacement formula in her and she'll suck with vigor for awhile but then just stops and rips the bottle away or tries to get away from it. That's when her tongue sticks out the most is after these feedings...
I'm worried it is scour and that I'm not giving her enough help. But the vet - at the last visit on Mira's first day - said she'd need a lot of tlc and that the next 72 Hours were crucial to getting her going... I feel like I'm failing her and it's frustrating.
The only thing I haven't tried it bucket feeding. I have a bucket ready to try but she seems freaked out by it... The other step is a feeding tube down her, but I'm actually terrified to try that because I've never done it before and I'd be terrified of hurt her...
I'm hoping maybe you all have some suggestions? It's only my second calf...