Post by donnaclyde47 on Mar 18, 2021 16:19:54 GMT -5
My daughter bought a tiny little Jersey heifer from a dairy. It’s only the second time we’ve done that in ten years because I’m afraid of diseases.
We got her because I have a cow that gave birth ten months ago to a heifer and hasn’t been bred back. Now I have a bull. Yeah! But I can’t have her heifer in there, which is a huge Brahman/Jersey (ten months) that could be bred. So, needed another calf. And Scout is heading to college in the Fall, so great way to make some money.
She brought her home Friday. She seemed energetic enough for a tiny Jersey. Drank off of Ruthie fine. Yesterday morning Scout went to pick her up and she didn’t really feel like walking. She finally got her to nurse, but was low energy. Then I took a look at my two other week-old calves, born last week as well, and one had blood in his stool! I’ve never had a sick calf before.
Finally got a vet here in the afternoon. She gave the tiny Jersey an antibiotic and an IV that had some stuff in it - no idea what. Also got a tiny bit of milk down her. Vet said there is a 20 percent chance she’ll live. She’s in the house now because we’re getting a “cold front.” (Quote, because cold for Louisianans isn’t really cold)
She’s still very low energy and not drinking much milk at all. Scout uses a syringe. Also for the next three days she’s putting fluids in her via the IV bag. So we’re doing everything we can for her.
My question is... for my home-born bull calf, I haven’t seen his stools today, but I let him back with mom 24/7 instead of separating and doing three feedings a day. The vet gave him a shot, but can’t remember what it was - some antibiotic. The dairy guy recommended an antibiotic (starts with a B?) that is not approved for food animals but said it always stops diarrhea. He’s going in my freezer, so don’t want to go that route.
The vet recommended Bio-Sponge to stop it. We don’t have that anywhere around here, and it’s a powder. Anybody have any luck with it, and know of a similar alternative to stop the runs? Bio-Sponge is for horses, I guess.
Long story for one question, but I’ll take any recommendations. I plan to never get a calf again from a dairy. Too much heartache!
We got her because I have a cow that gave birth ten months ago to a heifer and hasn’t been bred back. Now I have a bull. Yeah! But I can’t have her heifer in there, which is a huge Brahman/Jersey (ten months) that could be bred. So, needed another calf. And Scout is heading to college in the Fall, so great way to make some money.
She brought her home Friday. She seemed energetic enough for a tiny Jersey. Drank off of Ruthie fine. Yesterday morning Scout went to pick her up and she didn’t really feel like walking. She finally got her to nurse, but was low energy. Then I took a look at my two other week-old calves, born last week as well, and one had blood in his stool! I’ve never had a sick calf before.
Finally got a vet here in the afternoon. She gave the tiny Jersey an antibiotic and an IV that had some stuff in it - no idea what. Also got a tiny bit of milk down her. Vet said there is a 20 percent chance she’ll live. She’s in the house now because we’re getting a “cold front.” (Quote, because cold for Louisianans isn’t really cold)
She’s still very low energy and not drinking much milk at all. Scout uses a syringe. Also for the next three days she’s putting fluids in her via the IV bag. So we’re doing everything we can for her.
My question is... for my home-born bull calf, I haven’t seen his stools today, but I let him back with mom 24/7 instead of separating and doing three feedings a day. The vet gave him a shot, but can’t remember what it was - some antibiotic. The dairy guy recommended an antibiotic (starts with a B?) that is not approved for food animals but said it always stops diarrhea. He’s going in my freezer, so don’t want to go that route.
The vet recommended Bio-Sponge to stop it. We don’t have that anywhere around here, and it’s a powder. Anybody have any luck with it, and know of a similar alternative to stop the runs? Bio-Sponge is for horses, I guess.
Long story for one question, but I’ll take any recommendations. I plan to never get a calf again from a dairy. Too much heartache!