This heifer calf is three weeks old (black brangus bull x char) and in a lot of pain. She was injured at birth when we pulled her from a heifer - she was stuck on her hips. Despite rotating her, greasing her liberally etc. there was no pretty way to get her out other than pulling her.
She was able to stand with assistance after 24 hours but not able to suck the heifer for the first three days. I tended her for those three days but she is fully fed by the mother now. She does not have any navel infection or joint ill problems and is very well otherwise which makes us reluctant to shoot her yet. Her problem is her very sore off-side hip which doesnt seem to have improved much at all. She can put the point of the hoof on the ground and take a little weight as she hops along, but not much - in general, she doesnt go anywhere and waits for mum to come feed her. Why isnt she getting any better? There is muscle wastage of course and if you press down on the hip, it hurts her a lot. Here's some pics I just took - remember its the offside hip that's sore, the nearside one is fine.
http://ranchers.net/photopost/uploads/2761/IMG_2612_Small_.JPG[img]
[img]http://ranchers.net/photopost/uploads/2761/IMG_2615_Small_.JPG
Any help from you knowledgeable folk would be appreciated!
She was able to stand with assistance after 24 hours but not able to suck the heifer for the first three days. I tended her for those three days but she is fully fed by the mother now. She does not have any navel infection or joint ill problems and is very well otherwise which makes us reluctant to shoot her yet. Her problem is her very sore off-side hip which doesnt seem to have improved much at all. She can put the point of the hoof on the ground and take a little weight as she hops along, but not much - in general, she doesnt go anywhere and waits for mum to come feed her. Why isnt she getting any better? There is muscle wastage of course and if you press down on the hip, it hurts her a lot. Here's some pics I just took - remember its the offside hip that's sore, the nearside one is fine.
http://ranchers.net/photopost/uploads/2761/IMG_2612_Small_.JPG[img]
[img]http://ranchers.net/photopost/uploads/2761/IMG_2615_Small_.JPG
Any help from you knowledgeable folk would be appreciated!