Newborn calf scours or not?

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pd

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One of my newborn calves passed its first motion shortly after its first feed of colostrum from the mother. However, it was pelleted (yellow colour) in a clear mucous with streaks of blood (meconium?). Later I saw more of the same, but also some gaseous, frothy yellow stools came out.

I brought them in for observation. The mother also appeared to have slightly looser stools than normal and also notice she was a bit gassey. Now I don't spend a lot of time studying cow's motions :lol: - but this did seem a bit different. Calf appears fine in all other respects and is now 24 hrs old.

Does it sound normal or does it sound the calf may have an infection?

I asked my vet over the phone today and they thought it was just the meconium (but I forgot to mention the frothy bit).

Any thoughts please?
 
Not 100% sure but would say this is normal. On most of the newborns that I have the first couple of movements are pretty solid but once they start nursing the stool becomes whitish/yellowish looking and fairly loose. As long as the calf is eating okay, is gaining weight, and doesn't seem to be having any respiratory difficulties I wouldn't worry. I will say that if you have any doubt that the calf is okay at anytime contact your vet as a small calf can go from good to dead in no time.
 
Thanks guys :)

The calf is looking good and normal now - so probably wasn't anything to worry about.
 

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