"special Needs" calf

[Manda76]

I have a new red angus bull calf. He took to his mom after birth for the first 3 days. Then he acted weak and wouldnt eat. I started to bottle feed him and the removed him from his mom.
My question is, The men in my life think that he was post term and that he is brain dead- or slow. His ears are always dropped but he comes to me for feedings and is gentle.

Is there really anyway to tell?? They want to ship him, I say "hes my baby" and We should love him no matter what.

Any thoughts??

 

[cowgirl_jenna]

Well, if he's sucking and getting around ok, time is probably your best bet. We once had a calf that we pulled that kinda acted like that. That was a dairy calf, bull. We always figured he may of had lack of oxygen before we pulled him out. He acted kinda weird, looked up at the sky kinda, but drank great, got around just fine. We steered him and finished him out and butchered him for ourselves. He grew fine and was always a big pet, but he always did act strange and wasn't quite "right in the head". I'd give your calf some time, if you sell him, no one will prob. want to buy him. I dont know if it will work for you, but you could raise him up yourself.

Edit, I re-read your post, and you say he did drink from his mom but now doesn't. Did his ears droop at first too? Could be he got a case of scours/respiratory issue too. But, anyway, if hes drinking and no scours/coughing . I would check his temp. too, if nothing feed him and see what happens I guess. Good luck,
Jenna

 

[Sir Loin]

Manda76

I totally agree with Jenna and I too would like to know his temp.
Does he have an deformed or enlarged forehead ?

PS: Try not to get to attached to him and if you think he is suffering put him down.
NO it’s not easy for me to say, but sometimes it is the humane thing to do.
“Special needs” I like that much better then what I call them (Orphans ). My I borrow that?
Best of luck to you.
SL

 

[Anonymous]

Get his temp and get back to us

 

[Sir Loin]

OK it looks like we lost Manda76 so based on what little we do know:

red angus bull calf
acted weak and wouldnt eat
I started to bottle feed
The men in my life think that he was post term and that he is brain dead- or slow.
ears are always dropped
comes to me for feedings

With that little information and using SWAG ( systematic wild azz guess )
I am going to venture a guess of “ Water head “ which could be caused by either genetics or environmental.
No treatment is currently available, and live-born affected animals should be euthanized.

SL

 

[Anonymous]

OK it looks like we lost Manda76 so based on what little we do know:

red angus bull calf
acted weak and wouldnt eat
I started to bottle feed
The men in my life think that he was post term and that he is brain dead- or slow.
ears are always dropped
comes to me for feedings

With that little information and using SWAG ( systematic wild azz guess )
I am going to venture a guess of “ Water head “ which could be caused by either genetics or environmental.

SL

I wonder if your diagnoses includes sulphur.
It's far more likely an infection has set in
Water head :lol:

 

[Sir Loin]

hooknline

Re:

I wonder if your diagnoses includes sulphur.

It does, as toxicity of many kinds can cause “water head“.
FYI: Environmental includes/means toxicity.

Now try something different for a change.
Do a little research before you shoot your mouth off again and make a fool of yourself.
What breeds are known for “water head”?
What color are those breeds?
SL

 

[Anonymous]

Me...shoot my mouth off... Never
I'm still trying to figure out how you got to that diagnosis from what was given dr sir loin

 

[Sir Loin]

hooknline

Re:

I'm still trying to figure out how you got to that diagnosis from what was given

Geeez! I listed all the given KNOWN symptoms to attempt to make a diagnosis
, what part of them don’t you understand ? Did you even see them?

Should additional information be made available at a later time my diagnosis is subject to change.
SL

PS: Note to self-- Damn it is really tough being dyslectic. But fun!

 

[Anonymous]

All the symptoms listed would also match a respiratory infection that got out of check.
In fact, the calf was stated to be fine to begin with and went downhill after sucking for a few days. Ears dropping could be from illness or be from brahma influence.
Infection is far more likely to set in after a few days than for "water head" to even be a factor.
So which part of the description lead you to "water head", the sloshing between your ears?

 

[Sir Loin]

OK, I will step out of character and be serious for you.
Re:

All the symptoms listed would also match a respiratory infection that got out of check.

REALY, I don’t see one symptom that would indicate any respiratory infection.
No cough, no hard breathing, no runny nose, no temperature or watery eyes etc etc.
FYI: You can tell as much about the calf by what is NOT said as you can by what is said.
I think you are injecting things that were not stated and then making a diagnosis.
Are you a salesman? If so what do you sell? Pharmaceuticals ??

I used what was said as well as what was not said to make my diagnosis.
Now go back and re-read the symptoms and try another SWAG.
Who knows you may come up with something I didn’t think of. I ain’t perfect, ya know.
SL

 

[Anonymous]

Yep. You got me. I'm a pharmecutical sales rep.
Another spot on call by doc SL
Your completely and totally missing the point. Without more info there is no way you could possibly diagnose anything more than the fact the calf isn't feeling well. And you came up with.....wait for it.....
Some completely obscure bull shyt.
That's my diagnosis

 

[Sir Loin]

hooknline
Are you serious about discussing this in the arena of ideas or are just trying to call the dogs off the porch again.
If you are serious I would be happy to share my years of experience with you and explain it all to you, step by step.
And if the dogs show up again, so be it, I will kick there azzes again.

SL

 

[Anonymous]

Good luck with that. I've made my point which you insist on continuing to make for me.

 

[Sir Loin]

OK, case closed!
SL

 

[tater74]

Although I don't have a dog in this fight, Sir Loin please spell check your signature line.

Thanks.

 

[3waycross]

We generally consider a drooped ear or ears as a sign og pnuemonia or at the very least an ear infection.

 

[Manda76]

Sorry I asked my question and ran.. Had a sick kid to tend too! Grrr
I will get his temp and get back with ya'll. He seems to be of normal size as far as body and weight.
I am going to give it my all to keep him going. No scours to date. Did have a few coughs and we treated him for that with Baithrol (sp) Maybe hes just an airhead and enjoys looking around. haha

 

[Anonymous]

Coughing huh. SL, do you hear that? I sure hope she didnt euthanize the calf yet based off your expert diagnosis.
Manda76, if he calf has a fever get it on some nuflor or resflor if your vet concurs. If you stay ahead of the infection the calf should be fine

 

[ga.prime]

Probably was never anything wrong with the calf.