What does "Tenting" mean?

[pacadowling]

I read in one of the posts having to do with a dehydrated calf that the calf's skin was "tenting"...what does that mean :?:

 

[ffscj]

"Tenting" is when you pinch up some skin and it stays in the pinched up shape and does not return to its normal position.

Chris

 

[pacadowling]

Is this a typical method of testing for dehydration?

 

[Bama]

When a calf is dehydrates it shin is not as "flexable" as normal. Its eyes will look kinda sunken also. At this stage its needs fluids fast. BTW you can give fluids under the skin with a needle if it comes to that. You can put a quart under the neck region. Done at multiple sites of course. By the time you get all of it in. The first site will have already been asorbed.

 

[jgn]

It's the same as in people when you see this, it's a very late sign of dehydration. If they've gotten this far they need treatment as soon as possible.

 

[Medic24]

No need to ever let it happen if you stay on top of your cattle and calves.........we work with the calves several times a day, and see every one of our cattle at least once a day. dehydration is a killer in itself............unlike us...... we can last up to a week, ten days without water... most vet manuals mention 3-4 days for cattle tops. :cboy: