Newborn Calf problem

[Enders]

I have a baby bull who is 3 days old now and has not pooped yet. He tries to fairly consistantly, but nothing comes out. He can urinate ok, isn't totally dopey, and still holds his head up/gets up and down ok.

He has a definite bloat/swell in his stomach area, and has only ingested a little more then 2 quarts of liquid in the last 48 hours(First 24 he had 7 quarts). He is excited for the first 10 seconds to eat, then quickly loses interest. Obviously I realize thats because of his problem, however, when is enough, enough? Is there anything I can do?

This would be the 4th calf to do the same thing in the past 20 years on this farm. The previous 3 died/put down.

Thanks!

 

[Bez>]

Birth defect - incomplete digestive tract? Gut twist? Plain constipation?

Lots of other possibilities. Try a search on these boards.

Use:

No poop
Not defecating
Constipated calf

Plus any other combo you can find. You have waited three days so a couple of hours of reading will not interefere at this time.

Veterinarian? If you cannot find one - load him and go for a drive.

Soon to die if not solved - just like the others - suggest a local animal doc if you comments are complete and accurate.

Or, shoot it now if you do not want to spend the money / time.

Regards

Bez>

 

[ETF]

Being a newbie to cattle, I don't know if this applies but for horses we use a Fleet enema shortly after birth to get things moving. You can buy them at most drug stores - costs about $2.50 for a package of two.

 

[TheBullLady]

I'll bet he can't because of a defect of some type. If you don't have a vet that can check him I'd put him out of his misery. That's got to be painful at this point.

 

[Roadapple]

He has a twisted gut or a hole through the centre of the gut which is not big enough for waste to pass.

 

[holly heifer]

:( I had one like that--- the stomach was not connnected
to the intestine, a birth defect. It lived about 3 days. :(