Calf With Snooty Nose

[arlen]

I have a heifer calf that seems to be in decent health, and normal appetite, but I do hear her cough a little now and then. I noticed the last few days that she has thick blob of mucous in her left nostril. I also see a few stuck in her fur on her side. I'm wondering if it's anything to worry about at this stage, or if she is likely to shake it on her own. Her and her 3 sisters are about 5 months old, and live outside with a run in shelter, so there is plenty of fresh air. I weaned them about 4 weeks ago.
I give them plenty of calf starter, nice 50-50 alfalfa/grass hay, loose minerals, and a 30% lick tub.

The weather was plenty cold (single digits) for the last couple weeks, then it has warmed up to above freezing and wet. I'm thinking the warmup may be a factor?
I have never had a calf with so much as a sniffle, so I'm concerned.

[midhilldexters]

Its sounds almost like an upper respiratory infection. With weaning, which is stressful and then very cold and then warming up, it may have been enough to weaken her immune system. Have you taken her temp?
Do you have something like LA 200? If she were my heifer I'd probably give her some. If you are not confident then trailer her into your vet, or have the vet come out to you.

Carol K

[RedRidge]

I like Nuflor for respiratory (but that's just me). Two shots 48 hrs apart usually does it. Not only is it good for respiratory problems, but unlike a lot of other meds that are every 12 or 24 hrs for days, this one requires only 2 doses. I hate to stick em any more than necessary.

Now... if I had one in serious respiratory distress, I'd just go straight for the big guns - Draxxin.

[zephyrhillsusan]

Me being me, I would call the vet. I would figure he would know best what antibiotic (if any) was needed. I've never had one with a respiratory ailment before, so I wouldn't feel competent to guess. Like you, I would worry with the changeability of the weather right now. The poor things are sweating in their winter coats one day and glad for them the next!

One question besides what is her temp, what color is the mucous? If it's clear, it could be she's reacting to dusty hay. If it's yellow or green, I'd worry more. Both temp and mucous appearance would be good to tell the vet if you do call.

[Fran]

I have one 2 year old heifer that ALWAYS has a snotty nose. It's usually just white snot or clear mucous but it's usually always there. No other symptoms and nothing ever changes with her. She's had it since she was born.

[arlen]

Thanks for the replies. I did talk to our vet a few hours ago, and he thought I should treat her to be safe. He is going to set out a couple doses for me. His cell phone was breaking up, so I didn't hear what it was, but he said to give it subcutaneously. He also said he was going to set out a dose of something that you squirt up their nose; he said it would give her immune system a boost. I will pick it up tomorrow.
Funny thing when I did chores tonite, she looked 100% better, so I don't know if I will give her anything just yet or not.

[arlen]

I thought I would post an update. I decided not to treat her, and it looks like she has shaken it off on her own. She Has been snot free for 4 or 5 days. The temps are back down in the teens and 20's. They seem to get by allot better in those temps than the 45 deg, sloppy, foggy, muddy, drizzly weather we had for about a week.