Calf not doing much, need some help

[rockn5mranch]

So this evening we checked cows and have a calf thats cold, some what dry, moaning, and not getting up. This morning at 7am, didn't see the calf. Not sure what we should do. Have read to get temp up, and colostrom (on the way to the store for this), but what else? Do you think the calf will make it? Its an AI reg angus bull calf, and we really dont want to lose him.


edit: he is in the house by the fireplace, dried him off completely, have a heating pad on him. He sounds gurggly, keeps talking but not real strong. I checked his mouth like some have suggested and he was cold.

 

[milkmaid]

Get him warm first. For some reason I think I remember being told colostrum does very little good when the calf is cold. IMO bring him inside, under a heat lamp if necessary, cover him with a blanket, etc. Normal temp for a calf is about 102.5'F. Calf will probably be OK as long as he gets plenty of TLC in the next 12 hours.

 

[hillsdown]

For the gurgling massage his sides gently also his limbs to get the blood flowing evenly.You need to get groceries in him asap.

Also for MM's response about the colostrum I was told also by the good doc that electrolytes are better for the first feeding with a frozen calf and then as soon as thawed give a really good feeding of colostrum as much as they want to drink.

 

[randiliana]

Warm him up. Give him warm colostrum, the extra fat in it helps by giving him energy. You need to get about 2 quarts of colostrum into him as soon as possible. Depending on how cold (and windy!!) it is where you are he could have been out there for several hours, or less than an hour.

 

[rockridgecattle]

heat, temp and colostrum. The colostrum absorbtion is a narrow time frame. Buy a good powder one. There are several out there. We use the 100 immuglobulins per dose and 1 dose is enough. Anything less requires multiple doses.
Sounds like he got fluid in his lungs from birthing. This should go away in 24 hours or less. If not treat to prevent pnemonia from setting in. Getting chilled and stressed and the little guy could get good and sick. Remember a calf is born with nothing for immunity so the first order is warmth and provide the anitbodies in the form of colostrum

Some of the old farmers would say raise a calf upside down to drain the lungs if they got fluid in from birth....BIG BIG nonononononon. You will end up with more fluid in the lungs than what was there before you started the nasty deed. If you really need to try and drain the fluid drape the calf over a barrel, keeping the stomach from emptying what is in there in the way of fluid.
Best to let it go away on it's own.

RR

 

[angie2]

Is too bad he is cold on the inside. I do not need to tell you that that is a bad sign. Sounds like you are doing what you can to warm him up. Yes, give him colostrum. I am guessing that he is not going to drink tho. Two hours since last post ~ what is new? Any changes?

 

[rockn5mranch]

Gotten warmed up, but not moving much, real lifeless. Mixed up some colostrom, kinda sucked a lil. Picking up head, eyes are brighter, and moving ears (not pinned to head). We will wait and see.

I just hope that come middle of the night we don't have a calf bawling and running round the house. Thats all I need, between my new baby, and the kids.

 

[angie2]

I just hope that come middle of the night we don't have a calf bawling and running round the house. Thats all I need, between my new baby, and the kids.

That would be exactly what I would hope for!

When new baby gets up in the night (congrats by the way!!), offer more colostrum to your calf. As much as you can get him to take as often as he will take it.

 

[dun]

Tube him with the warm colostrum. Getting that warmth inside will help with his core temp.

 

[angie2]

How is your calf this morning?

 

[Victoria]

We've had many cold calves. We bring them into the house to warm up, lots of rubbing for circulation. Sometimes a trip to the bathtub is necessary if they are really frozen. Not much to add than what was already said except give shots - A&D and we are in a Selenium deficient area so we also do Selenium & Vitamin E. A calf is more willing to give up if no one is around to encourage it to live. The only ones that we leave alone for more than short naps (at least we attempt not to) are the ones that are so far gone that they don't know we are there.
Sure hope he made it.

 

[rockn5mranch]

Unfortunatly we lost the calf. At about 3:30 last night. We tried everything, but apparently was too far gone. Thank you guys for all the help. This was our first calf that we lost, and we have about 80 head. Hopefully we have better luck the rest of the year. This was only our second calf born this year.

 

[hillsdown]

Unfortunatly we lost the calf. At about 3:30 last night. We tried everything, but apparently was too far gone. Thank you guys for all the help. This was our first calf that we lost, and we have about 80 head. Hopefully we have better luck the rest of the year. This was only our second calf born this year.

Sorry to hear that.Hope your babies are all warm and healthy also.Mine to.

 

[angie2]

Yeah ~ once the inside of the mouth is cold..... its do-able but hard to pull them out. I've had calves in the bathtub as well ~ thats crazy talk :shock:

 

[Victoria]

Sorry you lost it.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Where are you located? What kind of protection do the cattle have? Depending on the location & kind of cold weather you have, cattle need WIND protection. A calf born out in the wind on cold nights/days have little chance. Trees are a good place for them if they don't have access to a barn/wind break.
This calf may be your wakeup call for your next 68 calves.
IF you find a cold calf again, I would suggest immediately getting it in a bathtub of 100 degree water, holding it's head up out of the water, of course. Keep it in there, adding hot water to keep temp up, until his/her mouth is warmed up. Than get warmed colostrum in it (always have a supply on hand).
Do you know how long the dam was in labor? Maybe it was a hard birth? Might need to check for cows in labor more often?
And I'm not accusing you of "neglect" - we all find "problems". Just pointing out some of the obvious we all know & sometimes fail to do. The sooner you are aware of a problem, the smaller the problem may be.

 

[fourstates]

Also, learn how to tube feed a calf. You can purchase the esophageal feeder and colostrum at a feed store and keep it on hand during calving season. A weak calf can't always suck. Get that warm colostrum down fast. Sounds like you have your hands full. Good luck!

 

[rockn5mranch]

What was crazy about this whole incident was that it was a nice day. Cold but no wind and the sun was out. The calf was born between 7 am and 5 pm, and it was a first calving for the now cow. She cleaned it up good, ate the umbilical, and no signs of afterbirth either.
We live in CA and don't get too much snow, maybe like 3 times a year, if we are lucky. These particular cows and calves are in a canyon, living on a hay field (not planted).
These heifers came from OR, and were AI'd. Being their first calving, they didn't and havn't shown much sign of impending birth. The cows are much eaisier to tell on.

Some have suggested tubing or drenching. I personally have never tubed anything, and frankly am a lil scared of the idea, in case it doesn't go right. How difficult is it, and is there anything to be concerned about with tubing? Using a drench gun would be much easier, but would it be as effective?

I am new to the cow business, other than raising steers for fair. My husband has had cows off and on his entire life. (Grew up on a dairy when younger, then purchased cattle a few years back.) I have had lots of baby animals born, horses, pigs, rabbits (lol), dogs and cats. Never have I had such a hard time as with this calf. Usually some rubbing, warmth and nutrition help, but this time it didn't. I am hoping to learn some other tips and techniques that will help next time.