Diptheria In Young Calf

[CattleAnnie]

Any advice?

We've got our first case of diptheria here. Honey was just saying to his Dad the other day that we've never had it, and jiffy presto, two month old steer calf comes down with it.

His Dad said the only success he's had with treating it is to isolate the calf from the cow for a couple of days.

Any ideas or suggestions on treatment would be appreciated, as we're heading out the door to rope him and bring him in this afternoon.

Thanks and take care.

ps. Did a search here and came up fairly empty handed besides the advice to treat with sulfa drugs rather than LA200.

 

[ollie]

Hey Annie,
Can't help as far as the diptheria goes but I will tell you on other ailments I much prefer the Albon SR to other sulfa drugs. It is vet only in the states but you get 7day threaputic levels. If sulfa is the treatment then I would go with Albon. I think it is sulfadimethoxine in a sustain release format. Hope you save him.

 

[Kelly]

I.V. Sulfonamides or Penicillin shots are the drugs that they recommend.
Also you can give Banamine or Aspirin to reduse the inflammation & edema. The key is to treat aggresively. Good luck!

 

[Gayle Hilgeman]

what our vet said to give many years ago is calf spans for the right
weight, LA200,and micotil and this combination works real well,
also the LA200 and micotil combination also does wonder on navel
infection. But you have to be real careful with micotil.

 

[ollie]

http://www.elephantcare.org/Drugs/sulfadim.htm

 

[jerry27150]

my book says to isolate all affected animals
examine other calves daily for signs
clean all feeding & watering equip
avoid coarse feeds
antibiotic feeding may help keep it in check
contact vet immediately

 

[CattleAnnie]

Update on calf with diptheria...oh, and a heart-felt thanks for all the responses.

Amazing how vigorous a calf with diptheria is...took quite an effort to get a rope on him and drag his butt up to the barn. The game went to Honey, but not before the calf finally tagged him with a resounding CRACK on the shin (the blue cloud over the ranch was from Honey's running commentary after the mighty blow).

Calf is currently isolated. As per Vet's advice, giving him 2cc of dextasomething steroid and 6cc of Nuflor both subcutaneous in seperate injection sites in the neck (of course). Dose is to be administered on Day 1, Day 2, and Day 4. Supposedly has very high success rate effectively treating diptheria.

Will let you know how it turns out, and what the name of the steroid is...little pooped tonight and too darn lazy to check the label down in the basement's cold room a.k.a. drugstore.

Take care.