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Post by moonstone on May 11, 2017 9:57:55 GMT -5
Hi, we have our first calf ever born 3 days ago to our heifer who has kicked the calf off many times unless the calf feeds on the right side teats we got the vet out after feeling a lump behind the teat and he confirmed mastitis. Mum was given antibiotics and anti inflammatory injection two days ago. Today our tiny calf became dehydrated and we had to have the vet out again who tube fed her as she wouldn't suck from the bottle. We have since bottle fed a little and she suckled a bit from Mum, my question is do we take the calf and feed her ourselves at feedtime or keep trying go get her to feed from Mum who gets really agitated when we feed the calf?
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Post by cddexter on May 11, 2017 18:47:54 GMT -5
If you can, best to keep the calf on the cow. This will save you major hassles later on. Probably your best advice is from the vet, but I think if you can relieve the pressure on the cow on the sore side, and let the calf have the other, until the mastitis is cleared up, that would be the best of all options. A lot of work, but if you can get the calf to feed often, say once an hour to start, that should stop the dehydration. It may just be weak, and discouraged by being kicked. Once it gets the hang of it, feels stronger, and is more confident, you should be on your way.
Do you have a stanchion? If not, you can use a gate against a fence corner as a temporary chute.
A HUGE congratulations for having the sense to call the vet. Even advice over the phone is good, or if you have another dairy or rancher nearby who's experienced, they may be able to help, too. This board, when in full flood, used to be full of newbies who would ask questions here, the vet being the last resort, and you can image the kinds of answers that surfaced. Sounds like you are heading in the right direction. Good luck and keep us informed of how you make out. Cheers, c.
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Post by moonstone on May 14, 2017 7:42:17 GMT -5
Thank you 😊 Well our little heifer is a week old today and is suckling a bit more from Mum who's swelling seems to have gone down a fair bit,we are still supplement feeding when she will take a bottle little one is still very wobbly some of the time on her feet she seems to be worse around lunch time every day and then picks up as the day goes on. We just went to check on her and her Mum had covered her in hay with just her head poking out to keep her warm....AMAZING the natural instincts of a heifer isn't it. Here's hoping that she keeps getting stronger 😊
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