I have a week old calf that was not doing well Thursday. Took him to a vet who thought that his and his mothers blood types were not compatible. She put him on Baytril and Steriods and told me to bottle feed him. He has had electrolytes, and been on milk replacer full strength for 2 days, as well as Calf Boost and Immediate Response. He seems to be getting stronger, but hasn't passed much poop and has started grinding his teeth. Why would he do this? He's getting 6 quarts of milk replacer spread out over the day.
Sick calf
- Thread starter Susans
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Silver
Well-known member
Grinding teeth is also a sign of brain damage.
bird dog
Well-known member
"Took him to a vet who thought that his and his mothers blood types were not compatible."
How did she determine this?
What is the history of the calf? Where did it come from? Was it full term?
6 qts. of milk a day seems like a lot for a week old calf.
How did she determine this?
What is the history of the calf? Where did it come from? Was it full term?
6 qts. of milk a day seems like a lot for a week old calf.
Nesikep
Well-known member
It does sound like a strange diagnosis to me without knowing more.. it would be WAY down on my list of possible problems
I'd consider a painkiller like Banamine.
you could cut back the milk a bit, 4 quarts
What is the consistency of the poop?
I'd consider a painkiller like Banamine.
you could cut back the milk a bit, 4 quarts
What is the consistency of the poop?
Caustic Burno
Well-known member
I am not a Vet or saying the Vet is wrong. In 46 years of owning a bovine I have never heard that diagnosis before.
samanthasteven
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This is a sign of brain damage...
Redgully
Well-known member
Caustic Burno":1g6ip1wi said:
Neither have i, maybe needs an anti d shot!
Bright Raven
Well-known member
Susans":27mttp54 said:
Blood type incompatibility occurs in mammals. When it occurs in humans, the child gets a blood transfusion of a type blood that is COMPATIBLE.
It is certainly possible. The symptoms if the cslf's blood is incompatible, are fetal anemia, deterioration of red blood cells, and brain damage ( a couple of posts above mention brain damage as evidenced by the teeth grinding). The only fix is a transfusion which would not be likely just for a calf. I suspect the vet saw something that made them make that diagnosis although it is very unusual.
The calf was full term; and after a night of really loose stools, he is doing much better. He's had 2 quarts of milk replacer, which I gave in two separate feedings. I don't think he's brain damaged, he's trying to play and seems alert. I did switch milk replacer which I know is not a good idea normally but I think that the Nursetrate is a better one.
wbvs58
Well-known member
It is more common in horses, the mare gets enough of the foals blood across the placenta to develop antibodies to it so when the foal drinks the colostrum the AB attack the RBC producing anaemia and jaundice. At least I think that is what happens from memory. A lot of it is dependent on the type and closeness of the mother and foetus blood supply in the different types of placentas in the different species. I have not heard of it in cattle but not saying it does not happen. Maybe the vet was extrapolating the symptoms seen in the calf to her experience with horses????
Ken
Ken
Maybe. She's an associate of my usual vet. He did have blood spots in his eyes and she said he was anemic. He still has days of shots to go, but he was playing a lot tonight. I'm going to try and give him two quarts in one bottle tomorrow morning,we'll see how he does. I'm just glad that he's survived so far. I figure that every day he's here, he'll have a better chance.
Chocolate Cow2
Well-known member
I am B negative. My first pregnancy revealed my blood type. Both my sons were born with B negative blood so there was no cross contamination. If the first son had been born with a positive blood type, there would have been a real possibility of antibodies forming in my blood which would early terminate any subsequent pregnancy. In other words, I would never successfully carry another child to full term. Had my first born been a positive blood type, I would have been given a Rhogam shot that would have prevented the development of antibodies.
Guess what I'm trying to say is if this is a real deal, I'd send that cow to town to prevent another compromised calf.
,
Guess what I'm trying to say is if this is a real deal, I'd send that cow to town to prevent another compromised calf.
,
Chocolate Cow2
Well-known member
Glad to hear. After I wrote this I realized maybe I should have gone to the salebarn as well :lol: The entire RH negative thing sure scared me. We're very lucky there is a remedy for it. Years ago, some weren't as fortunate. Merry Christmas to you, Susans. Hope the calf thrives no matter what the problem is.
GMN
Well-known member
Grinding teeth death is near
Most of the time but not always. A few years ago I had a calf that started grinding his teeth when he was just a couple days old. Had no idea what was wrong, vet couldn't figure it out either & he continued to thrive but a month or so later lost the tips of his ears & majority of his tail. In retrospect, it dawned on my he was grinding his teeth in pain from frostbite. Named him Stumpy & yes, got docked at the sale barn but was one of the largest steers.GMN":1rw52n9x said:
GMN
Well-known member
Most of the time then
Can't save them all and some have issues when they r born
Can't save them all and some have issues when they r born
