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how do i get a baby calf to suck
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<blockquote data-quote="Anonymous" data-source="post: 8878"><p>First off, how old is the calf now? If it's older than 24 hours and hasn't gotten any colostrum, it may need a plasma transfusion to get the antibodies it lacks into it's system.<br>2nd: how vigorous is the calf--does it seem stupid (ie dull) or is it so eager to nurse it falls off? This makes a difference!<br>3rd Did you check inside it's mouth to ensure that there is no cleft palate, tongue abnormality, jaw abnormality etc?<br>Assuming the calf is less than 24 hrs old, bright, alert and normal, I will milk about a litre of colostrum (quart) from the dam, squirt a little colostrum in the mouth of the calf to get it's interest, then make sucking sounds and have someone else rub the rear end while I gently have one finger in the mouth. My body will be over the calf so that it is more natural for the calf. When I get sucking reflex, I'll exchange my finger for the nipple of a nurse bottle without too big a hole. I'll then keep up the sound and 90% of the time this works. If it doesn't, I'll sometimes tube the calf but this is not my preferred method.<br>When in doubt, call your vet!</p><p><br></p><p><br><hr size=4 width=75%><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> <a href="mailto:vcane@hurontario.net">vcane@hurontario.net</a></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Anonymous, post: 8878"] First off, how old is the calf now? If it's older than 24 hours and hasn't gotten any colostrum, it may need a plasma transfusion to get the antibodies it lacks into it's system.<br>2nd: how vigorous is the calf--does it seem stupid (ie dull) or is it so eager to nurse it falls off? This makes a difference!<br>3rd Did you check inside it's mouth to ensure that there is no cleft palate, tongue abnormality, jaw abnormality etc?<br>Assuming the calf is less than 24 hrs old, bright, alert and normal, I will milk about a litre of colostrum (quart) from the dam, squirt a little colostrum in the mouth of the calf to get it's interest, then make sucking sounds and have someone else rub the rear end while I gently have one finger in the mouth. My body will be over the calf so that it is more natural for the calf. When I get sucking reflex, I'll exchange my finger for the nipple of a nurse bottle without too big a hole. I'll then keep up the sound and 90% of the time this works. If it doesn't, I'll sometimes tube the calf but this is not my preferred method.<br>When in doubt, call your vet! <br> <br><hr size=4 width=75%><p> [email=vcane@hurontario.net]vcane@hurontario.net[/email] [/QUOTE]
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