Calf with twisted or broken leg?

[kobo_ranch]

We have a calf that looks like it either twisted its hind leg, or broke it below the hock area.
We got it in a smaller pen, he gets around ok but doesn't step down on that leg, holds it up.  Looks broken, but can't tell.
Just wondered what you all do in a case like this?  (not gentle, been on his momma)
Was thinking might could rope it and put a splint or something??  Husband won't spend a bunch on a vet bill... says it'll be hamburger, but I hate for him to suffer and he's not near big enough yet to send to the locker.... I'd say about 250 lbs.
Suggestions?

 

[xxcc]

see if your vet is outrageous in price on casting it.  if not, have the vet cast it.  if so, take a piece of PVC, like 2 or 2-1/2" and saw it in half length wise to make a splint.  Take some padding like pieces of an old sweatshirt and put between the calves leg and the PVC, then take athletic tape and wrap the leg to the PVC, not too tight but not too loose, one wrap at the hoof, one above the hoof and then use your judgment on the rest.  it will most likely have to be changed, so don't make it impossible to get off.  give the calf a shot of banamine.

 

[kfacres]

around here, if it's not a great one, or a special one, we knock em.. and eat'em as veal!  A delicacy in some traditions

 

[Bulldaddy]

We had a momma cow kick her own calf in the chute one time and break its leg.  Within two weeks the leg had started to heal on its on with no casting.  Unless it is a very valuable calf I would just leave it alone.  If it heals crocked you can eat it like kfaces says in his replay.

 

[lowann]

see if your vet is outrageous in price on casting it.  if not, have the vet cast it.  if so, take a piece of PVC, like 2 or 2-1/2" and saw it in half length wise to make a splint.  Take some padding like pieces of an old sweatshirt and put between the calves leg and the PVC, then take athletic tape and wrap the leg to the PVC, not too tight but not too loose, one wrap at the hoof, one above the hoof and then use your judgment on the rest.  it will most likely have to be changed, so don't make it impossible to get off.  give the calf a shot of banamine.

Good advise. We had three calves born one year, out of the herd bull that were "over on their pasterns."  Had the vet come out, and he told us to do that very thing. As long as there isn't a bone protruding, or an open break this should help. Is it getting around, putting weight on it, or not?
That will be an indicator as to how badly it has been hurt. Our vet is a big one on, if a calf can be saved, save it.
Two of these calves made it, and ran like the wind after several weeks of using the PVC splint. One had to be put down. The bull was sent to town on the next truck!!

 

[jbw]

If it is not through the skin it will heal.

 

[kobo_ranch]

see if your vet is outrageous in price on casting it.  if not, have the vet cast it.  if so, take a piece of PVC, like 2 or 2-1/2" and saw it in half length wise to make a splint.  Take some padding like pieces of an old sweatshirt and put between the calves leg and the PVC, then take athletic tape and wrap the leg to the PVC, not too tight but not too loose, one wrap at the hoof, one above the hoof and then use your judgment on the rest.  it will most likely have to be changed, so don't make it impossible to get off.  give the calf a shot of banamine.

Good advise. We had three calves born one year, out of the herd bull that were "over on their pasterns."  Had the vet come out, and he told us to do that very thing. As long as there isn't a bone protruding, or an open break this should help. Is it getting around, putting weight on it, or not?
That will be an indicator as to how badly it has been hurt. Our vet is a big one on, if a calf can be saved, save it.
Two of these calves made it, and ran like the wind after several weeks of using the PVC splint. One had to be put down. The bull was sent to town on the next truck!!

From what I can tell its not thru the skin, but its definitely more swollen today, its been probably a week already maybe less... should i leave along or try to splint?  Not a bad calf, but not a show quality calf either don't guess.  He is not stepping down on it...  just above the hoof area also as far as can tell.  Thanks

 

[showgirl2232]

tie him up if possible and keep him on veryy little feed. if you cant keep him tied keep him in an area where very little moving is possible again with very little feed. we had a big steer break his leg and we didn't cast it we just did this.. a few months later he walked perfect and won our state show with a compliment on his feet and legs!

 

[GoWyo]

We roped one that had broken the joint just above the hoof.  This calf was about 350 lbs. at the time.  The roping and fighting to get him loaded in trailer from pasture (no corral handy in pasture at the time) caused more injury than just leaving him alone.  Had the vet out after we got him caught and vet said should have just left him.  It healed crooked (more crooked than it was before the rodeo), but calf was able to get to over 1,000 lbs. and butchered out just fine.  They will pack it until can put weight on it whether you cast it or not.  I would leave it alone if it is an older calf.

Had a couple week old calf that looked like it got stepped on and we did cast that one with gauze and ace bandage covered by the fiberglass casting material.  Left the calf and cow in a 5 acre pasture for a month and pulled the cast at branding -- calf was fine and it healed real nice.  The break was between the hock and pastern, so the cast was easy to keep on above the pastern joint.