Neighbor's Preemie Calf - Video update 6-30-17
Jun 15, 2017 11:01:20 GMT -5
Shawn, elia, and 30 more like this
Post by Debbie Lincoln on Jun 15, 2017 11:01:20 GMT -5
Thanks to what I have learned here, I decided to help a neighbor try to save a preemie calf.
Neighbor Ron called Tuesday at noon saying one of his cows had calved early that morning and the little fellow wasn't up yet, parked out in the blazing sun and breathing very fast. Problem: Snorty, agitated, BIG-HORNED momma wouldn't let him near it,and Ron and his wife have physical limitations. Solution: Call Debbie.
I hastily thawed some frozen colostrum and went running with my truck, tailgate lowered, and backed up to where the calf lay. Hopped out waving a white towel. Momma cow pawed the ground, lowered those horns, BUT backed up long enough for me to grab front legs with one hand and the back ones with my other and swing him up onto the tail gate of my truck and quickly return to the cab.
We retuned to the shade of his barn where I confirmed he was a bit premature. Fully furred, but teeth still covered by gums. Totally incapable of standing. Tubing him didn't work - my tube was too big (I estimate him to weigh 35 pounds). BUT he sucked vigorously on my finger. I quickly returned home and retrieved a bottle with a lamb nipple. He sucked down about 3/4 quart of colostrum and the same amount again at sundown (14 hours old).
I have subsequently fed him every 8 hours - we are up to a quart now - and he is almost standing on his own - and nearly got up on his own this morning. Braced against my leg, he can stand. Momma is full of milk, but there is no way to milk her. She intensely wants her calf, though, so we are working against the clock to get him standing on his own.
His poop is good, he bawls loudly and sucks strongly (with Momma pawing from the other side of the fence). We return Momma to him after every feeding and she licks him down and Mamma-moos. I am very optimistic this will have a happy ending and my neighbor thinks I am a miracle worker. I told him I just know where to go to get great support...
Neighbor Ron called Tuesday at noon saying one of his cows had calved early that morning and the little fellow wasn't up yet, parked out in the blazing sun and breathing very fast. Problem: Snorty, agitated, BIG-HORNED momma wouldn't let him near it,and Ron and his wife have physical limitations. Solution: Call Debbie.
I hastily thawed some frozen colostrum and went running with my truck, tailgate lowered, and backed up to where the calf lay. Hopped out waving a white towel. Momma cow pawed the ground, lowered those horns, BUT backed up long enough for me to grab front legs with one hand and the back ones with my other and swing him up onto the tail gate of my truck and quickly return to the cab.
We retuned to the shade of his barn where I confirmed he was a bit premature. Fully furred, but teeth still covered by gums. Totally incapable of standing. Tubing him didn't work - my tube was too big (I estimate him to weigh 35 pounds). BUT he sucked vigorously on my finger. I quickly returned home and retrieved a bottle with a lamb nipple. He sucked down about 3/4 quart of colostrum and the same amount again at sundown (14 hours old).
I have subsequently fed him every 8 hours - we are up to a quart now - and he is almost standing on his own - and nearly got up on his own this morning. Braced against my leg, he can stand. Momma is full of milk, but there is no way to milk her. She intensely wants her calf, though, so we are working against the clock to get him standing on his own.
His poop is good, he bawls loudly and sucks strongly (with Momma pawing from the other side of the fence). We return Momma to him after every feeding and she licks him down and Mamma-moos. I am very optimistic this will have a happy ending and my neighbor thinks I am a miracle worker. I told him I just know where to go to get great support...