Dummy / Dozy Calf Syndrome

[jnelly60]

4 weeks today our Guernsey cow dropped a bull calf out of an Angus bull. The calf was unable to stand on its own, had no sucking reflex and required tube feeding. 2 days of massage and assisted standing had the calf up and about but throughout the first eleven days the calf, although repeatedly trying to locate to teet, was unsuccessful and required ongoing tube feeds. Atttempts to introduce a bottle also failed as although the calf would grab the teet he would repeatedly "doze" off and had only a very slight sucking reflex. Attempts at stimulating the calf including tongue manipulation and a couple of attempts at squeeze techniques all failed. On day 11 I found a UK chat site that made mention of stimulating the calf's sucking reflex by placing a small amount of white chocolate to the calf's mouth. In desperation I melted a small amount of white chocolate, coated the bottle teet and allowed to set. When presented to the calf it reacted almost immediately and drank the bottle dry in minutes. I repeated this process for a second feed with the same positive response. On the third feed the calf took the teet without requiring the chocolate and by leading the calf to the cow's teets he latched on like a pro. Two weeks later I've got one happy calf and mum. I have no idea why this worked and have not been able to find any similar cases either here in Australia or on the net. Would be very interested to hear of anything similar.

 

[M-5]

you ever been in line at a krispy cream??? some of them folks will run over you to get something sweet to eat, like they really need it. Never used chocolate but have used syrup and molasses with good success. It just works and I don't question the why.

 

[branguscowgirl]

By letting the chocolate re harden and "set-up" it probably stays on the nipple a bit longer. Great idea! Thanks for the posting, I am sure that the idea will help many folks in that situation.
I have found that a Muse or Bose shot, (Selenium) or Multimin shot will give those kind of calves a boost also.

:welcome: To the forum! :wave:

 

[TCRanch]

you ever been in line at a krispy cream??? some of them folks will run over you to get something sweet to eat, like they really need it. Never used chocolate but have used syrup and molasses with good success. It just works and I don't question the why.

I use molasses or dark Karo syrup on aspirin &/or Sustain boluses mixed with cubes if I need to treat a cow/calf in the pasture. Works almost every time (there's always one that won't cooperate).