Dead Calf ??

[slb714]

Calf was about 1 month old, was fine one day then found him dead.. the only thing odd I found was his belly was really big, looked like he ate an basketball I had to really be careful when hauling it off I thought it was gonna explode... Any ideas was might have caused this?

 

[rockridgecattle]

Several but should call a vet.

scours
cryposporidia
black leg?
any others?

 

[I luv herfrds]

bloat?
overeating disease?
eating dirt?

 

[dun]

Depending on how long he had been dead and the ambient temp, the basketball belly may not mean a whole lot.
If you have another one, get it posted ASAP.

 

[slb714]

I don't think it was the heat that bloated it, it had to have died that night or early that morning , I found it around 11 am.

 

[randiliana]

Perforated Ulcer. This is often the cause when you find a calf dead for no apparent reason. A month old is a bit young, but possible I would think. Could also be one of the other diseases suggested.

http://beefmagazine.com/mag/beef_riddle ... al_ulcers/

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index ... /21803.htm