We are having calves die that have lameness in legs,trouble standing (feet spread wobbling) one today had swollen neck and face eye's rolled back. I have just gave them 8 way vaccine. Neighbor has all so had some but they are a half mile away. We have both fed the same hay that we have baled together and have been feeding same grain (feed) from feed store. Vet said on a scale of 1to10 would be 5 for blackleg. He saw a dead calf. He didn't really know what was causing this. Any help would be much appreciated.
sick calves 300 to 400 lbs
- Thread starter jash
- Start date
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branguscowgirl
Well-known member
That is terrible. Kind of sounds like Blackleg, but the vet should have been able to cut the calf open and see that.
I personally would give a shot of Selenium and a shot of A and D. Can't hurt, and could help if it's not Blackleg.
I personally would give a shot of Selenium and a shot of A and D. Can't hurt, and could help if it's not Blackleg.
highgrit
Well-known member
Get someone out there to find out what's going on. I've read on here where folks lose one or two calves like it's no big deal. To me it's a big deal, I want to know what happened to my animals.
Jogeephus
Well-known member
Did you raise these calves or buy them?
branguscowgirl
Well-known member
I agree with HG! You need to get a vet out there that can give you some answers. It could even be a toxin. Plants, pesticide ect. We could throw out ideas all day, but you need a necropsy.
Nesikep
Well-known member
vaccines after they are sick isn't going to do too much, though it might be good for the ones that haven't caught anything yet.
Hope you find out what's causing this.
Hope you find out what's causing this.
skyhightree1
Well-known member
jash":3mvjsysg said:
Friend bought hay from a hog farmer that was using manure on the hay and his cattle calves and adults died similar to that.
Jogeephus
Well-known member
Calf death always looks similar to me. I'd do as BCG suggested and have a necropsy done. Surprised the vet didn't suggest this.
skyhightree1
Well-known member
if I have any animal die without truly knowing why they get carted off to autopsy thats how i found the rabies.
djinwa
Well-known member
Random thoughts.
How many calves do you have and how many died and how far apart did they die?
Feed from feed store could be a problem, but could ask around and see if anyone else feeding it is having trouble.
Number one suspect would probably be the hay. Possible toxic plant or some other toxin in hay. Could ask your vet about testing it, though could be hard to find something if it is scattered in random bales. Is anyone else besides you and neighbor feeding your hay and are they having problems?
I would get some different hay, and feed that to at least half your herd and see if difference between groups on your hay or new hay.
I'm guessing since the blackleg spores are in soil, more likely to be infected during summer when grazing. But perhaps you could stir them into the hay, also. Flooding increases risk of blackleg - don't know if that has happened.
You might try taking temps of calves - higher early with blackleg. Also run your hands over the swellings and see if you feel crepitation, or crackling of gas pockets produced by the organism.
How many calves do you have and how many died and how far apart did they die?
Feed from feed store could be a problem, but could ask around and see if anyone else feeding it is having trouble.
Number one suspect would probably be the hay. Possible toxic plant or some other toxin in hay. Could ask your vet about testing it, though could be hard to find something if it is scattered in random bales. Is anyone else besides you and neighbor feeding your hay and are they having problems?
I would get some different hay, and feed that to at least half your herd and see if difference between groups on your hay or new hay.
I'm guessing since the blackleg spores are in soil, more likely to be infected during summer when grazing. But perhaps you could stir them into the hay, also. Flooding increases risk of blackleg - don't know if that has happened.
You might try taking temps of calves - higher early with blackleg. Also run your hands over the swellings and see if you feel crepitation, or crackling of gas pockets produced by the organism.
