newborn calf concerns

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debtramm

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 17, 2008
Messages
47
Location
central florida
We had a newborn early this morning.  Something isn't quite right so wanted to get some opinions .  The dam is a golden child cow (this is her second calf) and the sire is Gigiloe Joe.  It's been 17 hours and he hasn't nursed yet so we gave a bottle of colostrum mix.  He has a good sucking reflex and was obviously hungry.  However, his legs are turned out a little in the front and seem to be a bit too straight in the rear and he doesn't want to hold his head high enough to nurse from Mom.  Back, spine, etc. seems fine.    He will not move around very much either.

Does anyone have  any ideas or suggestions?  Is it too early to make any assumptions about leg concerns?  Thanks for your opinions.

Gator Mom
 

OLD WORLD SHORTIE

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Jan 15, 2008
Messages
813
Location
TX
sounds like he is premature, or lost oxygen during birth. I would milk the cow and give it the calf. Give him a shot of b12, and just keep giving him milk replacer to get him as strong as fast as possible. I had one do this last year, got her all strong and then one day she just died, she was premature so i think her heart gave out on her. I worked by butt off on that calf, not gonna forget that one.
 

debtramm

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Joined
Jun 17, 2008
Messages
47
Location
central florida
Old World Shortie,

I know that the calf is not premature.  Dam was AI'd and the due date was 8-23-10.  Today, calf is alert, will stand on his own and move about a little bit but still lacks the vigor that is normal.  He will only mildly attempt to nurse in the wrong location.  Tried bottle today with no luck.  If he isn't much better this evening, I'll tube him.  Due to the unbearable heat we have been having in Florida, I can't let him go very long or he will dehydrate.

Do you know of any structural issues on either the side of Golden Child or Gigiloe Joe?  I tried to do my research before we ordered semen and I didn't find anything negative with either side.

Thanks for your interest.  GM
 

linnettejane

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Mar 6, 2008
Messages
2,233
Location
eastern ky
he went 17 hours without nursing?  that might be part of the problem...i always thought they had to get colostrum w/in 4  hours....i know if we have one that doesnt jump up and start nursing, we are on him within the hour...there are also products like nurse mate, a paste that you give them that will jump start them...we had a joe calf that we had to pull, not because he was big, but because he was coming out of a heifer who with feet out, just decided to sit down, start chewing her cud, and stop pushing...no reason whatsoever she couldnt have that calf...anyway...he was a little "sluggish"....so we gave him a tube of nurse mate...within 30 minutes he was nursing...
 

Show Heifer

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Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Messages
2,221
Some calves, and pedigrees are just not vigourous.
By your description the calf sounds a bit "unsound".

All you can do is make sure you keep him hydrated, and keep him cool. Sometimes it isn't meant to be.
 

debtramm

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 17, 2008
Messages
47
Location
central florida
Yes, I understand and agree completely.  We are just having unbelievable heat here in Florida this summer.  We've been on a roll now for about 40 days of heat index of 110 with very high humidity.  So I'm trying to keep him hydrated and hoping that he will turn it on soon.  If I could catch his mom, we'd put him to her but of all the mom's we have, she is about the only one that won't let us catch her, of course.  It may be that he is a slow learner or that fate has another pathway.  A few more days will tell.  GM
 

Bulldaddy

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Oct 5, 2009
Messages
1,131
Location
Valley Mills, Texas
We have started calving here in Texas and it was 106 yesterday.  That makes it tough on those newborns.  it is hard for them to regulate their body temperature.  What other say is good advice but you may want to mix up a spray bottle with half water and half rubbing alcohol.  Them spray the calf with it several times a day to help him stay cool.  Good luck.
 
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