Post by scottmc on May 21, 2023 20:27:56 GMT -5
Neighbors longhorn had a 28lb bull last monday. Cleaned properly, doing all the right things(her third time calving) until the baby tries to latch on. He can just reach the teat and She would kick him off and I mean he would turn a flip. This must have went on most of the day and I was called over to bring a goat/lamb nipple since he is so small. We were able to get a little colostrum thru bottle feeding however he would rattle a bit and cough. I only had a regular esophageal feeder which was way too large. I left it with him and he was able to get another bit of colostrum in a few hrs later after separating him from mom. Next morn wouldn't take any from bottle and was lethargic and dehydrated. I took to my vet and he tubed electrolyte. Gave selenium and something else injection and B12. Sent me home with a canine feed tube, electrolytes and 2 doses b12. Alternated elytes and milk following day via tube. Next morn has stronger suckle reflex so began nipple testing to see what worked best. Cut a lamb nipple down to fit inside a human baby bottle I had with a valve inside seemed to be the best choice. Continued bottle next two days but at each feeding(8-10oz 4 xday )he would start gurgling at some point. Seemed to just be in his throat, never coming out of his nose. By the next feed the rattle would be gone. Temp checked throughout the day for signs of pneumonia. Checked with vet, no help. Have tried several bottle and head positions with not much luck. Definitely the worst results when feeding in the normal position with head slightly tilted. He has a lump beside his windpipe just under his lower rear jaw one on one side that feels like a ball about the diameter of a nickle. Vet suggested possible blocked salivary gland. Was there since at least a day old. I have felt and moved it around while he's nursing and it doesn't seem to affect his throat, its between his skin and his trachea. He has been roaming around my yard off and on walking ok but a little wobbly on rear legs until today and he seem to want to just stand with most of his weight on front legs. He has several superficial wounds on each rear hip either from being kicked or as I suspect bitten by his great dane. His breathing seem ok while standing but doesn't sound good when lying down. I've read several threads here with a lot of similarities and good advice but still seem to be losing ground with him. I am using colloidal silver spray in his nose. Plan to call vet again in morn for advice but so far I've gotten more info from this forum. I did tube his final feed last night to give some respiratory relief. He has been peeing/pooping well.