Splint on newborn calf

[Farmer Z]

I had a brangus bull calf born yesterday. It could not stand up because the joint right above the front right hoof was weak and would not straighten out or hold its weight. I splinted it to the shoulder which gave him enough stability to get up and nurse (after helping him up a time or two). How long can I expect him to be we crippled? What have others experienced around this? I'm sure nothing broken - was probably due to the way he was positioned awaiting birth.

 

[rockridgecattle]

first did you give the calf a shot of selium?
second, get a hold of the canadian cattle magazine, last months issue. that mag was all about calving. In there they had an article about spilnting a calf like yours. they suggested it would do more harm than good. It was a good read.
Next, check out the mineral consumption on the cows, and the mineral content. Are they getting enough?
next, check for navel ill.
finally give it time to heal, it usually does.

Good luck

RR

 

[randiliana]

Unless he was not standing on the hoof at all I would remove the splint. As long as they can stand on the hoof, even for a few seconds, they will recover faster without a splint than they will with one.

 

[dun]

Do a search on here for bumble foot and you'll find tons of information. Conventional wisdom is that if you splint it the calf will be 100% in 6 weeks, if you leave it alone it will be 100% in a month and a half. But, leaving it unsplinted so that he has to stretch it and work it will do a whole lot more good then a splint.

 

[milkmaid]

Do a search on here for bumble foot and you'll find tons of information. Conventional wisdom is that if you splint it the calf will be 100% in 6 weeks, if you leave it alone it will be 100% in a month and a half. But, leaving it unsplinted so that he has to stretch it and work it will do a whole lot more good then a splint.

Or search for contracted tendons. Same diff.

I've had them so bad they did need splints, but also seen plenty of milder cases that were good as new in a week or so without splints.

 

[cfpinz]

If it were mine I'd give it a shot of Bo-Se and chuck the splints. Correction, would have never put the splint on the first place.

 

[Farmer Z]

The calf is about three days old this morning. I did take off most of the splint last night except for the part right at and above the foot. After reading these posts, I'll take that off when I get home today. He can get up easily now but does not stretch the leg out much...very limp. He did actually flop around and put that foot on the ground for a second or two this morning...first time I'd seen that. He's stout. I'm keeping the pair in a pen so that I can keep a close eye on the situation.
When might I expect to see him start to flex it / apply a little more weight or is that impossible to say?

 

[randiliana]

The calf is about three days old this morning. I did take off most of the splint last night except for the part right at and above the foot. After reading these posts, I'll take that off when I get home today. He can get up easily now but does not stretch the leg out much...very limp. He did actually flop around and put that foot on the ground for a second or two this morning...first time I'd seen that. He's stout. I'm keeping the pair in a pen so that I can keep a close eye on the situation.
When might I expect to see him start to flex it / apply a little more weight or is that impossible to say?

He will improve every day. Within a week you should see a difference from what he is like now. Good luck with him.

 

[Farmer Z]

Just an update...the calf is up and moving about normally...thanks again for all the input.