Post by jerseylovinliz on Jun 15, 2010 23:11:00 GMT -5
Hey all- I have raised countless bottle babies & never run into this one.
Stats- Jersey heifer, 3 wks or so, strictly bottlefed at this point (raw milk). She acts perfectly 100% normal. No scours, fever, cough, runny nose etc etc etc. Her ears are up. I checked her mouth for sores etc. I gave her probios the day she came home & again this morning. She looks ridiculously skinny.
When bottle feeding her she doesn't drink the bottle. She'll take a sip then let most of it dribble out. Although, about every fourth feeding she'll suck it down quick. I know that she knows how to drink it I'm not worried about that. It takes me almost an hour of cupping her mouth closed around the bottle to get her to drink 1-2 pints (for the other feedings). I don't want her to get weak & go down on me. I know she's much too skinny. She'll nibble at a bit of grain but prefers to graze (I'm not trying to wean her just wanting her to get some nutrition although I'd much prefer it to be the milk at this point).
1. Do some just drink less? (I've tried breaking it up into 4-6 feedings a day w/a lesser ammount w/no change in behavior)
2. Could she have something stuck in her throat & doesn't want to drink/suck & is just desperate at the bottles she will take?
3. Should I tube her at the feedings she doesn't want to take so she'll get constant nutrition? She's not weak, yet.
4. Would you give a shot of vit B for appetite stimulant? She does graze regularly & I see her drinking water.
5. Am I worrying too much & should just shut-up? I bought another one same time who is rapidly gaining & filling out.
I have never had one not want to drink before. Normally they'll whack, push, shove whatever they have to to get at their bottles.
Thanks for any suggestions- Liz
Stats- Jersey heifer, 3 wks or so, strictly bottlefed at this point (raw milk). She acts perfectly 100% normal. No scours, fever, cough, runny nose etc etc etc. Her ears are up. I checked her mouth for sores etc. I gave her probios the day she came home & again this morning. She looks ridiculously skinny.
When bottle feeding her she doesn't drink the bottle. She'll take a sip then let most of it dribble out. Although, about every fourth feeding she'll suck it down quick. I know that she knows how to drink it I'm not worried about that. It takes me almost an hour of cupping her mouth closed around the bottle to get her to drink 1-2 pints (for the other feedings). I don't want her to get weak & go down on me. I know she's much too skinny. She'll nibble at a bit of grain but prefers to graze (I'm not trying to wean her just wanting her to get some nutrition although I'd much prefer it to be the milk at this point).
1. Do some just drink less? (I've tried breaking it up into 4-6 feedings a day w/a lesser ammount w/no change in behavior)
2. Could she have something stuck in her throat & doesn't want to drink/suck & is just desperate at the bottles she will take?
3. Should I tube her at the feedings she doesn't want to take so she'll get constant nutrition? She's not weak, yet.
4. Would you give a shot of vit B for appetite stimulant? She does graze regularly & I see her drinking water.
5. Am I worrying too much & should just shut-up? I bought another one same time who is rapidly gaining & filling out.
I have never had one not want to drink before. Normally they'll whack, push, shove whatever they have to to get at their bottles.
Thanks for any suggestions- Liz