Sunnyside
Member
Hi Everyone,
I have a 5 week old bull calf who is having a rough life. He is the offspring from a son accidentally breeding his mother (Angus x Angus-holstein). He was small to start and has never had any vigor. We had to bottle feed him to start as the mother had ballooned teats and he had troubles nursing. Since we got that straightened out he has had a decent appetite but never runs around and always moves as if he is sore. He was banded at 5 days old. He has had 2 doses of MUSE in case that was part of the issue. His joints may be a little swollen but not overly swollen. We do not have a vet in the area that will come for anything other then cow emergencies. Calves just aren't high enough on the priority list. I spoke with the vet and he said to give him aspirin twice a day (4 @325g) and a dose of penicillin daily for week. On the second day of that treatment half of his back hoof split away. So he still has his outside toe but the inside on is completely gone. The vet told us to keep him bandaged (change every 2 to 4 days) and switch him to LA (we had alamycin LA so thats what we are using now). We have bandaged him and put a rubber dishwashing glove over top to keep it dry. I couldn't tell what had happened to cause this injury. Vet said sometimes they will do this if they've had a fever. I've been checking his temperature since he was born but have never found him fevered.
If anyone has stories of calves that they have dealt with like this, I would really appreciate advice. I'm very attached to the little guy but I don't want to keep him suffering through life if he can't likely recover. It is winter here but turning into spring. Ground is frozen still but its warm enough that we are getting puddles so infection is a real threat too.
Thanks so much!
I have a 5 week old bull calf who is having a rough life. He is the offspring from a son accidentally breeding his mother (Angus x Angus-holstein). He was small to start and has never had any vigor. We had to bottle feed him to start as the mother had ballooned teats and he had troubles nursing. Since we got that straightened out he has had a decent appetite but never runs around and always moves as if he is sore. He was banded at 5 days old. He has had 2 doses of MUSE in case that was part of the issue. His joints may be a little swollen but not overly swollen. We do not have a vet in the area that will come for anything other then cow emergencies. Calves just aren't high enough on the priority list. I spoke with the vet and he said to give him aspirin twice a day (4 @325g) and a dose of penicillin daily for week. On the second day of that treatment half of his back hoof split away. So he still has his outside toe but the inside on is completely gone. The vet told us to keep him bandaged (change every 2 to 4 days) and switch him to LA (we had alamycin LA so thats what we are using now). We have bandaged him and put a rubber dishwashing glove over top to keep it dry. I couldn't tell what had happened to cause this injury. Vet said sometimes they will do this if they've had a fever. I've been checking his temperature since he was born but have never found him fevered.
If anyone has stories of calves that they have dealt with like this, I would really appreciate advice. I'm very attached to the little guy but I don't want to keep him suffering through life if he can't likely recover. It is winter here but turning into spring. Ground is frozen still but its warm enough that we are getting puddles so infection is a real threat too.
Thanks so much!
