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Post by Euchee Creek Farm on Aug 10, 2012 18:11:21 GMT -5
This little heifer was born two weeks ago tomorrow, she was up nursing and walking about at sunrise when I first saw her. I remember thinking how vigorous she was but by that afternoon she was not doing well. It was a hot day of about 112 or so but she was in the shade. When I had not seen her up for a while I went out to check on her and found her listless. She had a fever of 108 and blood in her urine and stool so we attempted to cool her and called the vet. He gave her a steroid shot and told us we needed to get her somewhere cooler. He also said that calves can get brain damage at the temp. We moved her to the only cool place we have and that was in the house. We kept her in our bathroom for a week and then moved her outside under a mister as the temps had come down and there was a nice wind. The very next day we had to evacuate all animals and valuables due to wildfires so she has had a time. Now the problem, she can not stand. I have been trying to get her up with a sling but do not know how long or how high to suspend her. She does try but does not seem to have the strength or know how to get her feet under her. So has anyone had any experience with calves such as this heifer? Not sure what I need to do.  |
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Post by Euchee Creek Farm on Aug 11, 2012 20:21:43 GMT -5
We have been working with her on her foot placement while standing. Most of this time has been spent while she was in a sling and she mostly just hangs there. She is not all that light and easy to hold up while placing her feet my myself but today while hubby could help me I helped her up by pushing upward on her rear. She almost sprang to her feet but was only able to stand while held between my legs and only for a little while but she ended this by trying to take several steps. So this evening while feeding her with her in the sling she just gave up eating and hung her head. I took her out of the harness and lifted her again pushing on her rear and she stood with my support while my hubby gave her the rest of her bottle.
Here I have been worried about her having brain damage but now believe she is smarter than I. So feel much better about her future tonight.
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Post by wanette on Aug 11, 2012 20:33:52 GMT -5
So glad to hear she is improving. This very thing has been my main concern the last three weeks, we have a 3wk old heifer and a 1 wk old bull, so far so good. Hoping your little girl continues to improve.
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Post by Euchee Creek Farm on Aug 13, 2012 0:50:45 GMT -5
My little heifer still can not get up or stand by herself but she took her bottles today standing while I stood straddle her to help her steady herself. I know in the future I will check new calves temp when they are born in extreme weather like we are having now. I feel that had I checked her temp earlier and been faster to take her into a cooler place she would be out in the pasture with her mama now.
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Post by Euchee Creek Farm on Aug 16, 2012 8:00:14 GMT -5
Thanks Gene, you are right . I thought I was going to loss this heifer a few days ago. She had not eaten well that day and about 7pm she passed what looked like a blob of tomato soup with mustard in it. A few hours later she passed the same thing with liver looking pieces. She only took half a bottle the following morning and had a temp of 103.7.
I had a court date for probate of my Mothers estate at 9 am which is 30 miles away so had no time to check with our vet.
I thought about calling the vet while gone but thought she will probably we dead when I get home. She was alive and looked alert when I got home so called the vet and he had me give her some medication.
She still is not standing on her own but is still trying very hard to and looks the best she has looked since overheating. Still hopeful for her recovery.
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Post by wvdexters on Aug 16, 2012 8:06:44 GMT -5
We are all pulling for her and for you. She sounds like a real fighter.
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Post by laughingllama75 on Aug 16, 2012 8:06:47 GMT -5
I was wondering how she was......glad to hear she is still fighting...... sending positive thoughts your way!
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Post by Euchee Creek Farm on Aug 16, 2012 12:39:12 GMT -5
She is such a little fighter..we name her Sugar Ray.
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Post by copperhead on Aug 16, 2012 20:38:53 GMT -5
Wow Shelia, it sounds like you've got a fight on your hands, I sure hope she makes it.
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Post by wanette on Aug 18, 2012 22:22:07 GMT -5
We recieved some rain and the temps are much lower, hoping your little girl is doing better with the cooler temps.
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Post by Euchee Creek Farm on Aug 21, 2012 21:26:21 GMT -5
Our little fighter has enjoyed the cooler weather almost as much as I have. She is looking great, growing so much so I can hardly stradle her to help her stand. She is still trying and trying to stand but still can not get to her feet by herself and has difficulty steading herself. I did order a support for her so she can be up much more, it needs to get here soon as she is getting too much for me to man handle. Still hoping for the best for Suger, she will be 4 weeks old this coming Saturday.
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Post by wanette on Aug 22, 2012 9:50:37 GMT -5
I'm so glad she's still hanging in and fighting. How are you doing? I know it's hard to maintain this type of routine for so long.
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Post by copperhead on Aug 22, 2012 13:43:52 GMT -5
Awww, thats so sad, I wish I knew something else to do for her. I'm afraid she has some brain damage from the heat, she should be able to stand by now. I had a baby goat with brain damage and she learned to walk and take care of herself, so there is hope for your Sugar.
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