Post by gailzr on Jun 8, 2011 15:46:16 GMT -5
Our DB bull calf, born 10 days ago, is still not doing
well and we are running out of ideas. Thought I would run
this by all of you for any more help.
He was a week overdue-a very big calf. His front ankles are collapsed, but
in addition, he seems to have little control over his right front leg.
He drags the right front behind and cannot bring it forward, so if he is
not splinted, he scrambles around a little on his knees. I now suspect that
he has some nerve damage in that right front leg/shoulder. Difficult birth or Mom stepped on him?
We have done the following: 2 injections of BoSe. Splinting both front legs.
Lots of had walking, guiding him and helping him stay on his feet.We then rigged up a sling with 2 girths under him suspended from ladders so that his front feet touched a bit. The idea was to encourage him to put some
weight on his feet (suggestion of a cattle farmer). That did not work either. He is otherwise very healthy and adorable and alert. But if we are not there to help him-he is either lying down or on his knees.
It is pathetic to watch. I cannot send him to anyone as a beef cow-as I'm afraid they will just turn him out to fend for himself, and he will
suffer needlessly.
There has been no improvement in the last few days. He had plenty of
good colostrum. We are bottle feeding as it is too hard to get him to
mom. Approx. 130lb + now.
Any ideas would be most welcome. We will have to euthanize him
in the next week or so if he does not make a turnaround.
As it is, he is taking 2-3 hours a day to care for him.
Many thanks, Gail
well and we are running out of ideas. Thought I would run
this by all of you for any more help.
He was a week overdue-a very big calf. His front ankles are collapsed, but
in addition, he seems to have little control over his right front leg.
He drags the right front behind and cannot bring it forward, so if he is
not splinted, he scrambles around a little on his knees. I now suspect that
he has some nerve damage in that right front leg/shoulder. Difficult birth or Mom stepped on him?
We have done the following: 2 injections of BoSe. Splinting both front legs.
Lots of had walking, guiding him and helping him stay on his feet.We then rigged up a sling with 2 girths under him suspended from ladders so that his front feet touched a bit. The idea was to encourage him to put some
weight on his feet (suggestion of a cattle farmer). That did not work either. He is otherwise very healthy and adorable and alert. But if we are not there to help him-he is either lying down or on his knees.
It is pathetic to watch. I cannot send him to anyone as a beef cow-as I'm afraid they will just turn him out to fend for himself, and he will
suffer needlessly.
There has been no improvement in the last few days. He had plenty of
good colostrum. We are bottle feeding as it is too hard to get him to
mom. Approx. 130lb + now.
Any ideas would be most welcome. We will have to euthanize him
in the next week or so if he does not make a turnaround.
As it is, he is taking 2-3 hours a day to care for him.
Many thanks, Gail