*These are some of the common Problems of this area
Any calf found that is not acting right and has a mouth that feels cool to your hand, is at the very least chilled. The calf's body temperature is below normal. Below the mid 90s the calf looses its ability to come back without adding heat in some fashion. In the mid 80s, the calf is severely depressed, breathing is very slow, muscles do not work, and will die if something is not done soon. External heat has to be added to the calf's body. The air temperature around the calf should be in the 100 to 110 degree area or maybe a little higher. Do not burn the calf. In room temperature and particularly on a concrete floor, the calf's body temperature will continue to go down. Hot boxes, electric blankets, radiant heaters, spaces heaters, hair dryers, and heat lamps all seem to work if you can get the heat to the calf. Having the calf off the floor helps unless the floor is heated. It will may take 4 to 6 hours or sometime longer to get the calf warmed up. It is probably best not try to feed the calf until it is able to stand or at least sit up on its own. If it seems necessary to tube the calf before that, be very careful, because the chilled calf does not have swallowing reflex. Be sure the tube is not in the windpipe. As far as I know, there are no shots including whisky that will hasten this process. Once the calf is warmed up, you can deal with other problems, such as dehydration, scours, pneumonia, low energy, and lack of colostrum.
Calf scours is a common health occurrence among calves. When sever cases occur, the value of removing the calf from the cow and giving IV fluid therapy is usually greater than the detrimental effects of separating the cow and calf. It is important to milk the cow out if the calf is not going to be nursing the cow for more than a day or two. It may be necessary to confine them to a small place where the weakened calf can have the opportunity to nurse the cow and regain its strength before returning to the pasture. Before starting treatment, collect a stool sample for possible virus isolation or culture and sensitivity. Treatment for mild cases with only slight dehydration may require only an antibiotic pill. Moderate dehydrated calves should receive oral fluids. Severe cases with dehydration, chilling, and being unable to stand require intensive care including IV fluid therapy.
Footrot is an infection starting between the hooves, with swelling, heat, and often a draining wound between the toes. If not detected and treated early, it may advance to more severe swelling and even involve the joint. Treatment consist of giving an appropriate antibiotic.
ENTEROTOXEMIA / PURPLE GUT IN BABY CALVES
Enterotoxemia is suspected when a calf is over full and showing signs of colic. Diarrhea may or may not be present. It is very hard to tell apart from a simple colic which will pass without treatment, or a stomach (abomasum) ulcer which we know of no satisfactory treatment. Therefore, we feel most over full calves showing signs of discomfort or colic should be treated for enterotoxemia. Treatment includes the use of Clostridium perfringens C & D antitoxin and antibiotics. Mineral oil by mouth or tube may also be beneficial.
DYSTOCIA / DIFFICULT CALVING FOR HEIFERS and COWS
When a cow or heifer has been in labor for more than 1 hour, or 2
hours at the most, without progress, she needs to be checked out. Also, if they
are acting as "something ain't right" for very long they need to be examined. Re
checking tomorrow generally is not the right thing to do. The examination if
done gently and cleanly will do very little harm and may even hasten labor if
nothing wrong is found. If something wrong is found that cannot be corrected,
call veterinary service for consultation and/or assistance. When the delivery is
successful, assure that the calf receives colstrum within 6 hours.
A printable guide from The University of Missouri
Uterine prolapse occurs after the calf is born and are recognized by the presents of buttons on the prolapse. This condition is considered a serious emergency as death due the hemorrhage or shock is not uncommon. These cows need to be handled as gently as possible, and transport or trailing is not recommended. If the prolapse can not be put back in gently, call for veterinary assistance, and keep the cow as calm as possible.
Vaginal prolapses occurs generally before the calf is born and is recognized as a large red ball without buttons. If the cow is springing heavily, we generally attempt to hold the prolapse in with packs leaving the birth canal open for normal calving. If calving is more a month away they are sutured in the back. Once this occurs the cow or heifer is marked for culling, because it will be worse next year.
RETAINED PLACENTA OF BEEF COWS
Most retained placentas will drop without intervention. Intervention must be approached with caution, as more damage and infection can be created than the retained placenta causes. If the cow appears to be getting sick or decreasing milk production, then antibiotics are probably indicated.
UMBILICAL INFECTION / JOINT ILL IN CALVES
This infection is characterized by tender swollen joints and often a swollen hard navel. The calves want to lay around a lot because it is painful to be on their feet. The treatment requires long term antibiotic therapy. Sanitation and the use of iodine on newborn's navel should lessen the incidence.
This treatment is for cattle with diarrhea caused by coccidia, which may or may not be characterized by bloody diarrhea. If the diagnosis has been confirmed in a pen in one calf it is probably the cause of other cases of diarrhea in the same pen at the same time. An appropriate coccidostat is the treatment of choice. If more than a very few calves are effected, the whole pen should be considered for treatment for 5 days and prevention for 21 days.
Bloat occurs in cattle in several possible forms. It can be secondary to many conditions that cause an animal to be off feed, or conditions that prevent normal belching. This type generally cause a "dry bloat" that goes down easily when a stomach tube is passed. It can occur as a subacute form in which the animal is full and uncomfortable. Or it may be a "frothy bloat" that occurs due to eating very fermentable feed and the gas is trapped in numerous small bubbles like foam. If severe the possibility of the animal dying is present and emergency sticking may be necessary. Usually it is possible to pass a stomach tube and give mineral oil and an anti-fermentive. This can often be followed in 15 to 30 minutes by passing the stomach tube and relieving gas that has escaped from the frothy foam and formed in a pocket over the rumen contents.
Acidosis is basically a case of grain founder. It can be caused by ration changes or by variable individual animal consumption when consuming high energy density feed. It can be extremely mild and is often exhibited by an animal that is just " off feed", or it may be extremely severe and cause the animal to be down, comatose, and die. Less serious cases may be treated with mineral oil and antacids. If severe or down call for veterinary assistance. Any acidosis problem is a good indicator of potential ration problems and should alert pen riders and bunk checkers.
Diphtheria or necrotic laryngitis is generally recognized by very noisy and difficult breathing and the presence of active infection indicated by the presence of fowl smelling breath and fever, especially in the early stages. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories are indicated for treatment
Cattle with diarrhea may have one of several problems and if the diagnosis changes the treatment should change accordingly. If the animal appears bright and alert and does not have fever, it may be reasonable to hold one day and re-evaluate the condition the next day before starting treatment with antibiotics. If persistent, a diagnostic work-up should be considered.