121# Heatwave calf w/ swollen tongue

Pulled a backwards Heatwave calf 2 days ago and its tongue seems to be swollen.  I notice it when she was tring to suck on the back tits, which it can't suck on . Any ideas?  My guess is that it will go away after a week or so. Thanks for any imput.

Had that happen before a couple of times.  Had to tube feed the calf until the swelling went down.  Only took a couple of days.

If it's not too bad, it should go away in a day or so but like 6M says , you might have to tube it.

If its very bad - call your vet - ours has had us give the calf an injection to reduce the swelling. 

sometimes during a long, difficult birth they have their tongue out & it swells. We usually see it go down w/ the head after a day or two. agree w/ Kanshow that if it doesn't in a couple or you think the calf isn't getting the milk it should to check w/ a vet.

Red

JMO, most Heat Waves are big and dumb, the swollen tongue will go down in a day or 2, but continue to watch and make sure it is eating.

OK, laugh all you want -- it works!  A difficult birth can cause swelling of the calf's tongue.  Rub sugar (yep, plain ole table sugar) on the tongue.  Don't have a scientific explanation -- it just reduces the swelling!

loveRedcows said:

OK, laugh all you want -- it works!  A difficult birth can cause swelling of the calf's tongue.  Rub sugar (yep, plain ole table sugar) on the tongue.  Don't have a scientific explanation -- it just reduces the swelling!

Click to expand...

That's pretty cool...but I have one question...how did you come to find this nice little tidbit out?  I don't want to hijack the thread, but that is some cool advice.

OFS - our old vet told us that years & years (we're old!) ago when we had it happen with a calf.  Thank's for asking.

Olson Family Shorthorns said:

loveRedcows said:

OK, laugh all you want -- it works!  A difficult birth can cause swelling of the calf's tongue.  Rub sugar (yep, plain ole table sugar) on the tongue.  Don't have a scientific explanation -- it just reduces the swelling!

Click to expand...

That's pretty cool...but I have one question...how did you come to find this nice little tidbit out?  I don't want to hijack the thread, but that is some cool advice.

Click to expand...

what's the sugar content of colostrum milk?  there has to be a good amount of sugar in there.  probably this remedy is a natural remedy they cow already has?

Old vets are the best...back on the dairy our vet told us to use plain Pet milk..that you use for cooking in eyes for pink-eye and cloud-over it has also
worked on goats and my old dog. 

Sugar really does work for swelling.