Keep going??

[randiliana]

Ok, here is the situation. Lots of experience here, but never with this problem.

Pulled a backwards calf the other night. Wasn't a terribly hard pull either. Anyways, the calf was unable to get up, which we have dealt with before, and it usually takes a couple days before things start working, and then the calf is fine. So, for the last couple days we haven't been too concerned about it. Calf is fairly strong, will suck a bottle, bright eyed and looks perky. And she has been trying, moving herself around the pen. So all these are encouraging signs. But, we finally got her up last night, and it appears that we injured her hind legs. She either doesn't want to or it is difficult for her to stand with her hind legs under her. She wants to stand with them stretched out behind her(looks almost like her hocks are double jointed?). I am thinking either a soft tissue injury or possibly we dislocated something in the pull. But, she lies down normally, with her legs up under her, and everything feels normal when compared to an uninjured calf.

Anyways, I really hate to have to put a baby down, but again, I haven't the time or the money to work with this one, bottle feeding if there is no chance of her getting better. Don't really care if she is somewhat crippled, but need to know if there is any chance of her healing up enough to get around relatively comfortable. So anyone ever have experience with this type of an injury?

 

[I luv herfrds]

Have you called the vet yet?
Maybe give it about 3-4 more days, she might come out of it, but if she doesn't then decide.

 

[Alice]

She may just be stressed and sore...I'd give it several more days, also.

Alice

 

[Beefy]

keep going.

 

[feelnrite]

Dont quite yet. She will come out of it just when you are ready to give up. Things like this are good lessons for humans. Teaches us patience.

 

[randiliana]

What you guys are saying is more or less what I was thinking. No, we hadn't called the vet. Mostly because we have had backwards calves take time to get going before, and then because of the weekend and the fact that it isn't life or death.

Anyways, good news. She was able to get up on her own this afternoon. Her legs are definitely weak, but I am thinking it was a soft tissue injury since she can get up and is able to walk without too much difficulty. Now, she won't lay down. Guess she is trying to make up for lost time ;-). She is about 3 days old now.

She has a companion, another calf that was pulled. Out of a wild heifer that doesn't seem to have any milk, and neither me nor hubby have the desire to work with that #*%^# :shock: ;-) if you know what I mean. Was a rather hard pull, and the cow shows absolutely no interest in the calf. Looks to have no milk, and is pretty much nuts, so really not much reason to mess with her. She will taste good to someone, but not us I think, next sale is in about a month...

And both calves will be adopted out. Either to another beef cow if we happen to lose a calf, or to the holstien once she calves (the end of April).

 

[cowvet]

My general "rule of thumb" for such dilemmas is.....

If it is continuing to show signs of improvement then keep going (as long as welfare is not compromised, ie, the animal is not in pain or suffering).

If at any stage the animal starts deteriorating then you need to either call in a vet for the animal to be assessed and treated, or make the call to euthanase it.

 

[Victoria]

Glad to hear she is improving! If the joints are swollen have you thought of Banamine? It can take down swelling and dulls the pain as well. She may not need it since she seems to be doing better but we've had good results with it.

 

[KNERSIE]

Randiliana,

Has the new hereford heifers you bought recently calved yet?

 

[randiliana]

Glad to hear she is improving! If the joints are swollen have you thought of Banamine? It can take down swelling and dulls the pain as well. She may not need it since she seems to be doing better but we've had good results with it.

No, she has no swelling. To tell the truth, I had never heard of Banamine before being on this site. And we have certainly never used it. I am interested though. She is doing well, eating lots and getting around well.

 

[randiliana]

Randiliana,

Has the new hereford heifers you bought recently calved yet?

Funny you should ask, this calf is out of one of them. We have had 6 of the 10 calve so far. We are pretty happy with them. Even this ones mama, who got a twin when we realized this one had problems. She took the other calf no problem, and is a good mama.

 

[Anonymous]

What you guys are saying is more or less what I was thinking. No, we hadn't called the vet. Mostly because we have had backwards calves take time to get going before, and then because of the weekend and the fact that it isn't life or death.

My wife wishes she had more clients like you.. To know when to call or when it can wait. One of my favorites is the hour before clinic opens and pet has a problem been this way for two days can you hurry.

 

[randiliana]

My wife wishes she had more clients like you.. To know when to call or when it can wait. One of my favorites is the hour before clinic opens and pet has a problem been this way for two days can you hurry.

Well, I know our vet is worn out this time of the year. He is the closest vet to many of us. The others being at least an hour away (and they wouldn't be any different) And it is calving season.

So for non life threatening stuff there really is no point in calling him on the weekends or off hours. I'm sure he gets enough of that as it is. Meanwhile, our calf is up and around, eating well, and should start bouncing before long.