Beginner Help

[summitfarms]

So I'm a long time reader first time poster. My wife and I recently purchased 10 bred cows. Our first. After four of them turned out to be completly wild, we sold them and bought 3 more. One had a week old calf at her side. This is her first calf. One of the other two will be having their first calf as well. I paid $1000 for the cow with the calf and $850 for the other two. It seems like a good deal. We got everybody home to my rented lot and barn. I pinned momma and her calf up in the barn because its been so dang muddy. So heres my question. The calf has yellow runny crap, which I interprited as scours. I have gave him four doses of sulfa. He doesn't seem to be getting better. Instead he kinda stands around. He is sucking on mom but not for real long it seems. He butts her bag quite a bit though. This has been going on for two days (thats when I got them). What should be done to perk the little guy up? I have yet to see him run and bounce like he was on the farm where I bought him. Did I get screwed? :???:

 

[Anonymous]

Could be a couple reasons. Stress from the move, rich milk, etc. see if you can get a pic of the calfs poop for us. Stress will take the largest toll on a calf that age.

 

[Gale Seddon]

This pair has had a change in environment so bacteria, etc., are new; three weeks is young and she's new to being a mother. Do you have any health history (vaccs, worming) on this pair? First, I'd get a fecal sample from the calf and take it to the vet or state lab. Let your vet know about this. I'd also keep them confined (separated from the group) until you know what's going on.

Hope some other people post on this!

 

[A.J.]

Welcome to the boards. Calf manure for the first few days/weeks is typically yellowish and pasty, but shouldn't be runny like you are describing. Does the calf look filled out, or are it's sides sunk in? Does it stand around with it's head up, or does it hang it's head down alot? Like Gale and Hook said stress can take a lot out of them and their immune system at that age, and I would try to take a fecal sample to the vet ASAP and see what they say, or if you'd rather, see if the vet can come out and take a look. They can get dehydrated really fast, so it may wind up needing some electrolytes and something like probios or some other meds to help it along if it keeps scouring and acting like you are describing.

 

[summitfarms]

This little bull calf is only a week old. He doesn't really mope but he's definitly bouncing around and playing like I think he ought to. I just brought them home two days ago so im thinking its stress. He's just a little sucked in on his belly but it's not bad yet. Im hoping to have someone come and look at him on Monday. Thanks for the help. Keep em comin!

 

[kenny thomas]

If he is butting her bag quite a bit, acts like he has no energy, and she is a first calver I would think she has very little milk and the calf is hungry and weak.