Dead calf, Don't know why

[MRRherefords]

Was out checking calves today and found a 5 month old heifer dead in the pasture. She was perfectly healthy and yesterday was running around and nursing. I checked her out and she had not been attacked. She had also been wormed. Having a vet come out to check her out, but any thoughts?

 

[A.J.]

Sorry to hear that. That's always terrible to find, especially from one that had shown no signs of anything wrong before. Had she been vaccinated for black leg? Black leg would be my first thought, or possibly something toxic she could have eaten like wilted cherry leaves if there are any around.

 

[MRRherefords]

Not vaccinated for black leg yet. She is in an open pasture with out any trees too. We really want to find out what it is, as there were other calves with her. We are going to take her to the Vet hospital in Harrisburg PA and get an autopsy report to find out exactly what it is as we can't afford to lose any others.

 

[Bright Raven]

Not good. My sympathy.

 

[MRRherefords]

Not good. My sympathy.

Thanks Ron.

 

[MRRherefords]

If it is blackleg, what steps need to be taken for the others. Thankfully she was not with our main herd. She was in a smaller pasture with her mom, and three other cow/calf pairs all three calves under 5 months. (We usually give the shots at weaning).

 

[cowgirl8]

Blackleg. when you find a dead one you can fill the folds of skin and if you feel bubbles, blackleg..... We had a young one get it and the only reason we saved it was because they were in front of our house. First and only one we saved from it, you usually just find them dead. Was at vet 30 min after we noticed him straggling around....Quick IV at vet in trailer and he also gave antibiotics by mouth(I don't remember everything exactly), because calf was almost comatose by then.... Calf was just at the age for vaccination and was going to be done within days.. cant give it to them too young, but when they are old enough they need it....

 

[ALACOWMAN]

Just the right age for it, when their foraging heavier ..vaccination is the only way to handle it..I would go on the assumption that it is anyway.. And hit em all...cheap assurance...

 

[TCRanch]

Sorry to hear that! Also going with blackleg; the first sign is usually a dead calf. Mine are vaccinated at appx 3 months with Covexin 8 unless it's a bull calf getting banded day 1 or 2 and gets a shot then, and again when we work them. The other exception is if the dam has a history of being a heavy milker & a lot of lush forage, thus the possibility of perfringens Type C (overeating disease) and those calves get Covexin 8 day 1 or 2 when I tag.

Any chance you had storms last night? If so I wouldn't rule out lightning.

 

[ga.prime]

Respiratory infection is my guess.

 

[MRRherefords]

Sorry to hear that! Also going with blackleg; the first sign is usually a dead calf. Mine are vaccinated at appx 3 months with Covexin 8 unless it's a bull calf getting banded day 1 or 2 and gets a shot then, and again when we work them. The other exception is if the dam has a history of being a heavy milker & a lot of lush forage, thus the possibility of perfringens Type C (overeating disease) and those calves get Covexin 8 day 1 or 2 when I tag.

Any chance you had storms last night? If so I wouldn't rule out lightning.

Thanks. Did not have any storms recently. Will be treating for black leg anyway. Not worth losing any more.

 

[JMJ Farms]

I personally don't think blackleg from the way you described the series of events. But it's possible. Easy to diagnose though with a dead calf. Cut her leg open and see if it's black. That's where the name comes from.

Lightning, gunshot, snake bite, bloat, poison, so many possibilities.

I really don't have an educated guess. But I will say this. Animals die from the same causes that affect humans. Stroke, heart attack, aneurysm etc. Not trying to be a smart azz either. Always tough when you lose one. Even tougher when you don't know why.

 

[Nesikep]

Just one more thing it COULD be is a heart defect.. they seem to present in similar ways.. doing fine then dead. Sucks to lose them.. I'm just going through that myself now.. calf got stuck and now I've got him physically OK, but he's brain dead, can't eat or drink on his own so it's a matter of time before he goes down hill.

 

[cowgirl8]

Just one more thing it COULD be is a heart defect.. they seem to present in similar ways.. doing fine then dead. Sucks to lose them.. I'm just going through that myself now.. calf got stuck and now I've got him physically OK, but he's brain dead, can't eat or drink on his own so it's a matter of time before he goes down hill.

What did he get stuck in... so sad....

 

[JMJ Farms]

Just one more thing it COULD be is a heart defect.. they seem to present in similar ways.. doing fine then dead. Sucks to lose them.. I'm just going through that myself now.. calf got stuck and now I've got him physically OK, but he's brain dead, can't eat or drink on his own so it's a matter of time before he goes down hill.

What did he get stuck in... so sad....

Dang I figured he might overcome his ordeal. Cowgirl8 here is Nesikeps story.
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