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calf can't walk
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<blockquote data-quote="farmerjan" data-source="post: 1427749" data-attributes="member: 25884"><p>Don't know quite what to tell you about the calf. How do you bottle feed him? I will say that 2 pints ( 1 quart) twice a day is barely subsistence rations. He needs at least 2 quarts twice a day to ever begin to grow and many dairy farmers are now feeding 3 qts a feeding. I realize you don't want him to scour but you need to up his milk. Any problem with the muscles not responding to the brain not sending out signals will also be due to the lack of strength. I would try putting him over a square bale of hay to get him "up" at least to a normal position to feed. We have used a sling to get cows up when there has been some paralysis and have had mixed results.</p><p>Since you are willing to try, then I would try the "harness" to help him get/stay upright, when you are working with him. It sure won't hurt. Some calves do seem to grind their teeth more, and I am thinking it is sometimes considered a deficiency of some vitamin/or mineral but can't remember offhand which one. </p><p>I am assuming that you got him as a freebie and are planning to make him a steer to be future beef in the freezer? Usually lack of O2 causes them to have trouble eating, drinking a bottle, or just plain act "stupid" and they don't "get it"; because the brain is not functioning. Leg problems are often from difficult births, or a bad position inside the cow, or a genetic problem causing a deformity. But, I guess it could cause what you are seeing. Worst case is he doesn't respond and you have to put him down. You are doing more than most would probably do so best of luck. Maybe your vet will have some other idea.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="farmerjan, post: 1427749, member: 25884"] Don't know quite what to tell you about the calf. How do you bottle feed him? I will say that 2 pints ( 1 quart) twice a day is barely subsistence rations. He needs at least 2 quarts twice a day to ever begin to grow and many dairy farmers are now feeding 3 qts a feeding. I realize you don't want him to scour but you need to up his milk. Any problem with the muscles not responding to the brain not sending out signals will also be due to the lack of strength. I would try putting him over a square bale of hay to get him "up" at least to a normal position to feed. We have used a sling to get cows up when there has been some paralysis and have had mixed results. Since you are willing to try, then I would try the "harness" to help him get/stay upright, when you are working with him. It sure won't hurt. Some calves do seem to grind their teeth more, and I am thinking it is sometimes considered a deficiency of some vitamin/or mineral but can't remember offhand which one. I am assuming that you got him as a freebie and are planning to make him a steer to be future beef in the freezer? Usually lack of O2 causes them to have trouble eating, drinking a bottle, or just plain act "stupid" and they don't "get it"; because the brain is not functioning. Leg problems are often from difficult births, or a bad position inside the cow, or a genetic problem causing a deformity. But, I guess it could cause what you are seeing. Worst case is he doesn't respond and you have to put him down. You are doing more than most would probably do so best of luck. Maybe your vet will have some other idea. [/QUOTE]
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