colostrum question

[blueridge]

I have a heifer that should calve within the next couple of days. When I was checking their water yesterday I noticed that another cows calf was nursing from the heifer. I thought at first that she wasn't getting any milk but when I walked around the back where she was I noticed that she indeed was. Does this mean that this heifers colostrum is gone? What affect will this have on the calf when it is born?

 

[mnmtranching]

If she is letting another calf nurse, I would separate. If the older calf is getting some of the colostrum now it will get it all when the heifer calves. I think if she's in a place with just her calf it will be OK.

 

[Workinonit Farm]

I would separate them ASAP. With any luck that heifer won't calve within the next couple of days, thus giving her more time to re-fill that bag so to speak.

When she does calve, if her bag isn't very full, you may need to supplement that calf.

I had a case like that 3 years ago, the heifer calved out about a week after separation and her calf was fine.

Katherine

 

[msscamp]

I would also seperate, but I would also make a note of this heifers number and watch her next year - if it happens again, she would grow wheels so quickly it would make her head spin!

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

They NEVER replace the antibodies in the colostrum. If she was sucked - she NO LONGER will have the good colostrum for the newborn. She will have milk and maybe diluted colostrum. I would be sure to give the newborn a bottle of powdered colostrum as soon as possible after birth.
And, yes, I would seperate her ASAP.

 

[blueridge]

Well the heifer had her calf yesterday. We didn't have another episode of the other calf nursing. The newborn heifer seems to be doing fine but I guess it will take a while to see if she got enough antibodies. How far out is too far to give additional colostrum?

 

[Vicky the vet]

Well the heifer had her calf yesterday. We didn't have another episode of the other calf nursing. The newborn heifer seems to be doing fine but I guess it will take a while to see if she got enough antibodies. How far out is too far to give additional colostrum?

Ok, you can test the calf via a blood test for levels of antibiodies. Your vet knows how to do it. Antibodies can be orally absorbed up to 24 hours, with decreasing amounts absorbing as soon as 6 hours after birth. If the calf is low in antibodies and it's after 24 hours, you can do a plasma transfusion. Your vet should know how to do all of the above....

Good Luck
V