Post by freetodream on Dec 16, 2009 21:53:07 GMT -5
We have a 9 day old holstein bull calf that we got on monday. He seemed ok that night, yesterday was a bit depressed acting (kinda slow to get up, not real agressive about his bottle but he did eat it all) but other than that was ok, but today he's got whiteish/pasty yellow poop all over his rear (although it's not completely liquid) and so I cleaned him up and took his temperature; it's 103.3. This is our first time with calves. I have a call into the vet but likely won't hear from them till the morning. Is this baby ok tonight? I haven't fed him tonight yet (I did put a cup of warm water in a bottle to check his appetite and he'll drink it but isn't excited about it) Is there anything I can do for him? He's not coughing and doesn't have a snotty nose either just a nasty butt, fever, and is depressed. Any ideas what he has? His skin snaps back immediatly and no sunken eyes so for now at least he doesn't seem dehydrated.
We got one other calf the same time (this one is only 5 days old now) and he's doing awesome. Eating great and acting half starved no scours or anything. The attitude comparison is very distinct between the two of them. The only antibiotics I have is Pen-g and oral SMZ. Are those a good idea to start now even before I talk to the vet? I know these babies can crash quickly so that was my concern that he may be in trouble by tommorow. Maybe I'm concerned over what's likely nothing but I'd love some input from those that have more experience.
I also weight taped the sick one and he comes in about 83lbs and we're feeding him 4pints 2x/day. They were both on milk replacer at the dairy but we switched them to whole milk (we're milking guernsey's so it's pretty rich) could that be the problem? I wasn't sure that would cause a fever though. Thanks for any advice
Kjersti
We got one other calf the same time (this one is only 5 days old now) and he's doing awesome. Eating great and acting half starved no scours or anything. The attitude comparison is very distinct between the two of them. The only antibiotics I have is Pen-g and oral SMZ. Are those a good idea to start now even before I talk to the vet? I know these babies can crash quickly so that was my concern that he may be in trouble by tommorow. Maybe I'm concerned over what's likely nothing but I'd love some input from those that have more experience.
I also weight taped the sick one and he comes in about 83lbs and we're feeding him 4pints 2x/day. They were both on milk replacer at the dairy but we switched them to whole milk (we're milking guernsey's so it's pretty rich) could that be the problem? I wasn't sure that would cause a fever though. Thanks for any advice
Kjersti