3 new calves - need advice

[Tennison]

My husband brought home 3 calves yesterday (Guernsey bulls) that he got from his "tool" guy. They are very skinny and seem dehydrated. Their ages are 11 days, 8 days and about 4 days. The two "older" ones are taking the bottle - one has scours. We are giving 1/2 scour tablet twice a day for the next four days. The youngest cannot even stand. We tube fed yesterday and got almost 2 bottles in him today by using a bigger hole - also 1/2 scours tablet. He is so weak. He can hold his head up a little, but mainly just lays there and every once in a while he will let out a big "moo". I spoke with a man at our feed store, but he said there was really nothing that we could give him other than the milk replacer and maybe add an egg. Is there anything else we can do for him? My husband knew if we didn't take them they would all just be left for dead, and we could not just turn our heads. Also, we have a Hereford heifer that is about a year old that we bottle fed from 3 months of age. Is she in any danger of getting sick? She is very healthy and we don't have the others penned as they pretty much stay right by the barn under a tree. Should they be penned since we don't know the full health report on these calves? The older two have a little mucus sound, but only right towards the end of feeding and a little bit after. Feed store said that was normal after feeding. Eyes do not have discharge. Nose has a little mucus. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Johnny and Millicent Tennison

 

[steveaust]

We have reared calves for a few years now on a small scale (20@ year).We always feed electrolytes the first day they come home at 4 days old, they are under stress and need to settle,we then put them back on electrolytes if they scour later on.Very important to keep in a ventilated but not draughty environment.Plenty of clean straw to eat and for bedding and clean water to drink.They say thet need to be able to see and touch other calves so asto keep them stress free.May be of some help,we have had none die on us not until they were full growed and worth a small fortune (Murphys Law).

 

[Vicky the vet]

The youngest calf may need to be put on intravenous fluids, also there are diagnostic tests which can help ensure you're doing the correct treatment. Obviously, I'm recommending you seek professional help--call a vet!

Good luck!
V

 

[memanpa]

about 3 yrs ago i bought a bottle feeder that after a couple of days developed similar conditions that you described.
by sheer luck i went to a university of nebraska web site it describes several remedies and descriptions of scours

http:://ianrdubs.edu/animaldisease/g269.htm

using one of the remedies in 2 days my calf was up and about. within a week
was normal.
worked for me but can't say it will for everyone

this spring this little hiefer dropped a 65# calf with no problems!!!!

combine 1 can beef consomme
1 pkg fruit pectin (sure jel)
2 teaspoons low sodium salt (morton lite)
2 teaspoons baking soda
add water to total 2 quarts
and feed to calf
use this and only this no milk

good luck

 

[la4angus]

Listen to Vicky the Vet.
Spend a few $ and call a vet.

 

[Tennison]

Thank you all for your knowledge and experience. We lost the youngest early this morning. My husband put in a call to our vet this morning. Hopefully we can save these last two.

Thanks Again.

The Tennisons