A
Anonymous
I have had three calves cripple on the hind end
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Anonymous
can you tell me what causes it and how to prevent it
cherokeeruby
Well-known member
CattleAnnie
Well-known member
You'd be suprised at what a dramatic difference a shot of selenium does for calves affected with this. We had a calf go down a couple of years ago when we were driving the herd out to the summer range. He was pretty wobbly, sort of staggered as he went. Anyway, gave him a shot of selenium, and waited. Within twenty minutes he had steadied out and trailed the rest of the way in with no problem. He came home fat and sassy in the fall.
Would be interested in hearing experiences others have had with this.
Word of caution: Be VERY careful when injecting selenium in calves. I lost three calves on branding day last year because my help wasn't paying attention. The shot was given too close to the jugular and within forty minutes of injection, the calves were dead. Apparently if you get it in the jugular, the animal will die within minutes. It was a very costly learning curve for me, and hopefully sharing the experience prevents a wreck like that for others.
Take care.
Would be interested in hearing experiences others have had with this.
Word of caution: Be VERY careful when injecting selenium in calves. I lost three calves on branding day last year because my help wasn't paying attention. The shot was given too close to the jugular and within forty minutes of injection, the calves were dead. Apparently if you get it in the jugular, the animal will die within minutes. It was a very costly learning curve for me, and hopefully sharing the experience prevents a wreck like that for others.
Take care.
CattleAnnie
Well-known member
Awwwwww.... shucks! 
Such glowing praise will make my head swell, and then I'll have to shell out money for a new hat!
A large part of Canada is selenium defecient too, LA. We put out salt blocks with selenium in them for the majority of the year, and in the third trimester the bred cows get a loose mineral & salt ration formulated for our region.
Hope it helps and you're welcome, LA!
Take care.
Such glowing praise will make my head swell, and then I'll have to shell out money for a new hat!A large part of Canada is selenium defecient too, LA. We put out salt blocks with selenium in them for the majority of the year, and in the third trimester the bred cows get a loose mineral & salt ration formulated for our region.
Hope it helps and you're welcome, LA!
Take care.
