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Calf from a show Heifer - stiff legged
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<blockquote data-quote="djinwa" data-source="post: 1192214" data-attributes="member: 8265"><p>I'll throw out some random thoughts for you. Others can correct me or share their experience.</p><p></p><p>First, did the vet not tell you what he thought was the problem? That's where I would start, since he actually saw the calf.</p><p></p><p>Apparently he thinks possible selenium problem since your are giving those shots. Have your daughter research white muscle disease.</p><p></p><p>Don't know what you were feeding the cow, but some feeds and some areas of the country have less selenium. Good to give cow a shot well before birth to get more selenium in the calf. And give calf a shot at birth. And there are mineral supplements with selenium in them.</p><p></p><p>Again, talk to your vet for local information.</p><p></p><p>Selenium deficiency signs vary with levels of deficiency, but generally affect muscle. Can be just weak and lay around alot, and with weak tongue, have trouble nursing. Respond well to selenium shot, which maybe your vet gave the first visit? </p><p>More severe signs are from actual muscle cell death - white muscle disease, and the stiffness, etc you describe. </p><p></p><p>More muscular breeds and higher growth calves have more problems. Seems that would include Chianina.</p><p> </p><p>White muscle disease can improve with treatment, but takes some time for muscle to heal. Severe cases result in permanent damage to muscle.</p><p></p><p>You get a better diagnosis if you run blood tests for selenium levels and blood chemicals resulting from muscle damage. Your daughter will learn that many people don't want to pay for that, so she will have to do alot of guessing and giving all sorts of shots to cover the possibilities.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="djinwa, post: 1192214, member: 8265"] I'll throw out some random thoughts for you. Others can correct me or share their experience. First, did the vet not tell you what he thought was the problem? That's where I would start, since he actually saw the calf. Apparently he thinks possible selenium problem since your are giving those shots. Have your daughter research white muscle disease. Don't know what you were feeding the cow, but some feeds and some areas of the country have less selenium. Good to give cow a shot well before birth to get more selenium in the calf. And give calf a shot at birth. And there are mineral supplements with selenium in them. Again, talk to your vet for local information. Selenium deficiency signs vary with levels of deficiency, but generally affect muscle. Can be just weak and lay around alot, and with weak tongue, have trouble nursing. Respond well to selenium shot, which maybe your vet gave the first visit? More severe signs are from actual muscle cell death - white muscle disease, and the stiffness, etc you describe. More muscular breeds and higher growth calves have more problems. Seems that would include Chianina. White muscle disease can improve with treatment, but takes some time for muscle to heal. Severe cases result in permanent damage to muscle. You get a better diagnosis if you run blood tests for selenium levels and blood chemicals resulting from muscle damage. Your daughter will learn that many people don't want to pay for that, so she will have to do alot of guessing and giving all sorts of shots to cover the possibilities. [/QUOTE]
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Calf from a show Heifer - stiff legged
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