We won a cow from a radio program and the donating dairy man threw in a day-old (probably actually 2-3 days) bull calf. The cow adopted him by the second day we had him. Less milk for us but less work too.
Anyway, with this cold weather they have been staying in the very small shelter we have. We found him one day with a badly swollen hock. We figured she stepped on him (she's very careful but there is a reason cows aren't the symbol for animal gracefulness). I palpitated it and there wasn't anything broken and no heat. He imediatly began getting better and after a week or so was hobbling around pretty good.
Another cold snap and we found him with a swollen knee. Googled Joint Ill and it didn't fit. His appatite appears healthy, he is interested in what is going on. knee was better, though still very stiff, in a week or so. He is still shuffling around.
My 19yo found a whitish yellow spot under his tongue. He now has one on the top. It's about the size of a nickle and very bumpy. He does have a lot of foam around his mouth after nursing.
Now he has a lump on his jaw. It isn't on the bone or near a joint. It is a bit smaller than a golf ball and firm but still gushy.
We found him in distress this afternoon, but after making him stand up (he had his head under a tumbleweed and going down hill), and his "mom" giving him a bath in her shade, he is much better. It is 64 degrees today, instead of the freezing temps we've been having. Heat stress, I assume?
So are these things related or is he just incredibly unlucky? My only experience with such a young calf before was a Corinte (Mexican longhorn used in the rodeos) and her mommy did all the work of caring for her. No problems whatsoever.
Any insight or Google ideas would be appriciated. I will be calling the extention agency in the morning, too.
Anyway, with this cold weather they have been staying in the very small shelter we have. We found him one day with a badly swollen hock. We figured she stepped on him (she's very careful but there is a reason cows aren't the symbol for animal gracefulness). I palpitated it and there wasn't anything broken and no heat. He imediatly began getting better and after a week or so was hobbling around pretty good.
Another cold snap and we found him with a swollen knee. Googled Joint Ill and it didn't fit. His appatite appears healthy, he is interested in what is going on. knee was better, though still very stiff, in a week or so. He is still shuffling around.
My 19yo found a whitish yellow spot under his tongue. He now has one on the top. It's about the size of a nickle and very bumpy. He does have a lot of foam around his mouth after nursing.
Now he has a lump on his jaw. It isn't on the bone or near a joint. It is a bit smaller than a golf ball and firm but still gushy.
We found him in distress this afternoon, but after making him stand up (he had his head under a tumbleweed and going down hill), and his "mom" giving him a bath in her shade, he is much better. It is 64 degrees today, instead of the freezing temps we've been having. Heat stress, I assume?
So are these things related or is he just incredibly unlucky? My only experience with such a young calf before was a Corinte (Mexican longhorn used in the rodeos) and her mommy did all the work of caring for her. No problems whatsoever.
Any insight or Google ideas would be appriciated. I will be calling the extention agency in the morning, too.
