frostbite and calf hooves

SWERTZ · Mar 16, 2021

I've got a 1 month old calf who endured a brutal Colorado storm 3 weeks ago. His momma has never been very attentive, she leaves him at every opportunity. My husband and I brought him in during the storm, he was not interested in any milk. We kept him in our "warm room" gave B12 and put him back out the next morning. Two days ago this calf lost BOTH rear hooves (due to frostbite is our guess) the whole hoof including the plantar bone came off. After bringing him in, I flushed both sites added aluminum spray, a non-stick gauze, some cotton padding and wrapped both legs semi-loosely in vet wrap. I Gave some Bute paste and tried to give him a bottle with milk replacer, he WASNT having it, not at all interested in the bottle. For the most part he stands and walks well, I can tell he's uncomfortable and he lays down a lot. He can get up on his own.. We tried to put him in a maternity pen with mom and she wouldn't leave the herd for ANYTHING! We put him out with mom to eat where his bandages were soaked in mud. He was sure hungry and stood to eat for quite a while. I went out to check on him tonight and he was laying clear on the other side of the pasture with mom no where in sight (no surprise). I brought him back in the warm room re-flushed, bandaged, gave antibiotics and I'm leaving him in for the evening.

Questions:
What tips does anyone have on him taking a bottle?
Has anyone seen anything like this before?
Did the calf live or was it euthanized?
Is Bute good for a calf experiencing this kind of pain, if not what is?

**We are aware that his prognosis is poor and we DO NOT want him to suffer, so we don't need any harsh comments. We love our animals VERY much and know its very possible he will end up being euthanized sooner than later. There's not much educational info on this type of situation. I'm mostly wondering if anyone has experienced this, what they did to HELP the calf, I'm willing to put in the man hours to help this calf if I can.**

IF YOU MADE IT THIS FAR, THANK YOU!!

wbvs58 · Mar 16, 2021

What do you hope to achieve by keeping him going? From what you described he is not going to have anything to walk on. I would be definitely be pulling the pin on him. It is great that you are prepared to do the work but I can't see any future for him and you have the ability now to end his pain.

Ken

aprille218 · Mar 16, 2021

We had one that lost one rear hoof last year due to frostbite. We kept him and his mom locked in a corral until weaning and then fed out the steer to butcher at 9 months. His foot was just kept clean and dry.

Buck Randall · Mar 16, 2021

I've seen a lot of them. The best thing to do is put him down. It's only going to get more painful for him to walk as he grows.

Boot Jack Bulls · Mar 16, 2021

There really is zero point in prolonging the inevitable with this one. I'm see posts left and right on social media in regards to various animals with loss of limbs due to frostbite because of recent cold snaps and storms in parts of the country that don't usually have to deal with it. It's unfortunate, and sad, but as someone who has lived in the northern climate my whole life, I have yet to hear of a valid justification for not putting down an animal that lost half of its limbs....

Warren Allison · Mar 16, 2021

If his feet fell off 2 days ago, then you have let him suffer for no reason at least 2 days too long. He probably has suffered horribly since the feet first thawed out from the frostbite. What you are doing is cruel, not kind. After you read this, do the right thing.....go out there and shoot him.

Hpacres440p · Mar 17, 2021

Could almost be a cruelty case to keep the poor thing alive. Do him the favor, please. It’s not a “research project” that benefits the poor calf.

Dsth · Mar 17, 2021

I had a calf 2 years ago that the vet thinks the cow stepped on its hoof and it fell/broke off. he said he could try to treat but the prognosis was not good. the calf was out of one of my favorite cows and was her last calf (heifer) since the cow had cancer. cow is actually in my CT photo. ended up just putting the calf down that day, so I know how difficult these decisions can be. I agree with other post that gives you credit for your willingness to save it but also agree that the humane thing to do is put it down.