Calf w/Problems

[toby]

I was never able to get the cow to take the calf so have been feeding milk replacer. However, the calf is stiff and front knees are real large. The Vet had me administer an antibiotic and muscle relaxer which worked for a couple of days. He then hac me give a series of treatments over a four day period which seemed to work but again after a couple of days the stiffness returnes. The Vet said that the calf probably didn't get enough coloustrum (sp) has some problem I can't remember and will probably always have this problem. :help: Any of you out there have any ideas that may improve her condition? She seem to be getting worse as she gets heavier.

 

[angie1]

Had this happen with a goat kid for the reason you mentioned. We tried everything. Vet finally put her down.

 

[bigbull338]

I was never able to get the cow to take the calf so have been feeding milk replacer. However, the calf is stiff and front knees are real large. The Vet had me administer an antibiotic and muscle relaxer which worked for a couple of days. He then hac me give a series of treatments over a four day period which seemed to work but again after a couple of days the stiffness returnes. The Vet said that the calf probably didn't get enough coloustrum (sp) has some problem I can't remember and will probably always have this problem. :help: Any of you out there have any ideas that may improve her condition? She seem to be getting worse as she gets heavier.

the calf has what i call big knee.an as far as i know theres nothing you can do for it.if the leg an knee is getting to stiff.theres nothing you can do to cure it.id say all you can do is put the calf down.or butcher it an put it in the freezer before it gets where it cant get up an down.

 

[milkmaid]

Did you try giving the calf selenium?

are the (knee) joints hot to the touch?

 

[funky 4-Her]

Not that it really matters, but how old is the calf?

 

[dun]

Not an expert but it pretty much sound slike classic navel/joint ill to me. Large doses of penicellian over aq month or so is the only thing I've seen do any good.

 

[rockridgecattle]

I'm inclined to say navil ill that has spread to the joints
If it has been in the joints for a long period treatment might delay the inevitable.
Did you check the navel for heat, or swollen.
How long has this been going on?
Temp?
If the navel is swollen did you drop the calf and pick the navel scab and squeeze out the puss? need iodine, gloves and two people.
HOw old is the calf? if it is over one or two weeks old no point in opening the navel

 

[toby]

Not that it really matters, but how old is the calf?

The calf is six weeks old we did the vet treatment off and on for 4 weeks and have been "watching her" for the last two and seems to be getting worse.

Did you try giving the calf selenium? are the (knee) joints hot to the touch?

Have not tried selenium and the knee joints are not hot to the touch. Have given her a 48 hour penicilen shot this am.

Did you check the navel for heat, or swollen

The naval does not feel hot nor is it sowlen but the internal cord remains is hard.

She would take a gallon of milk replacer twice a day if I gave her that amount (rationing her to 3 qts perfeeding). She will eat hard food if it is put in her mouth but she won't try to pick it up out of a trough or bucket ron will she try hay.

 

[larryshoat]

I think dun and rockridge hit the target on this one.If this calves navel is hard and larger than a mans thumb it needs to be treated .Along with the high doses of pen suggested I would add oral amoxicillin and banamine. I become more and more convinced that untreated navel infections are costing us a lot of trouble and money.
Larry

 

[BdoubleR]

Have you looked into white muscle disease? Treated with Selenium & vit E ?

 

[randiliana]

Have you looked into white muscle disease? Treated with Selenium & vit E ?

Selenium does not cause enlarged joints. This sounds like a classic case of Navel/Joint ill.

 

[3rdgeneration farmer]

it had some stiffness but i dont think his was the same problem you have. I used a drug called Banimine in a 2 year old heifer that got stuck between to logs. This is a pain killer and it worked for her, but i had to move her joints for days so she could rehab. Im not sure on how young a calf you can give this to or even if its for the condition your calf has. Also, make sure that if you want to butcher, check out the labe to see if you have to keep it off the drug for a time before consumption.