Dexter calf

[bookwormom]

well, I was right, Grumpy would pick the day when it was cold and snowing to have her calf someplace where you can not find it easy. and I had gone to checkon grandma and was not home for two days. well, the thing is, though it is two days old it can't seem to figure out where the nipples are. when I came home husband was fixing a bottle with storebought colostrum. the cow is standing still, wanting it to nurse, and the little fella just can't find it. I would guide it, but Grumpy will turn around to face me. anyone got any experience?
I am planning to be bright and early at the feedstore to pick up a couple of gates to make a temp. chute to hold the momma and see what I can do from there.

[Deberosa]

Poor baby! Is Grumpy halter trained? If you maybe you could just tie her up to see if he will eat then...

I'll post your question on an email group (where I got the Patty cam) and someone may be able to help there.

[Deberosa]

Here is the first input: And dang I have to leave soon to go to a stupid "thing"!

it is two days old it can't seem to figure out where the nipples are.

This calf didn't get colostrum and it's it's too late to get it by
nursing - the gut is only permiable for less than 24 hours I think. Call the
vet to help - he has a shot to give the calf that will save it's life.

[AlchemyAcres]

Are you absolutely sure the calf hasn't sucked?
How long were they alone before you found them?
How long ago did you find them?
Calves can tank-up on colostrum and not be keen on sucking again for awhile.

~Martin

[bookwormom]

husband found it within a day I think, He had to go to Louisville this morning, so I am not sure.

he fed it colostrum yesterday and I fed it more around 4:30 when i got home, this morning it was very weak. but I fed it milk replacer, it got up and finished the bottle, then it seemed cold and shivered. I put it in an empty goar stall and covered it with hay, left the door open so Grumpy can get to it. eat the hay maybe. I sure am glad it is supposed to get a little warmer today. Grumpy's bag is full to bust and she is not dripping any milk. My plan is to feed the baby a pint of milk replacer every two to three hrs. unfortunatly Grumpy is somewhat wild, I tried to milk her this morning and she kicked me. . .She wears a collar, but I have not had her long enough to know just what she is up to, and the lady I got them from did not do a thing but feed them sweet feet. she did not work with them. It was too much for her I think. what I need is a temporary chute, and I have no experience with that, our cows at home were kept up, they were very docile and just stood there and ate. The dairly farm were I helped out once in a while the last few years took the calf from the mother right after birth and it was put in a calf stall and trained to drink from a bucket. once they knew it it was lots simpler than to feed them with a bottle. they got their mother's colostrum. It is tough with a wild cow that is used to run free in a pasture. well, I hope I can pull the little fella through, he is a handsome calf. I think I will give him some Bachflower rescue remedy and put some in the mother's water and then put some colloidal silver in his next bottle. Unfortunately the other cows and the bull are standing around, watching every move. I closed the cowshed off to them with a cattle panel.
I feel so sorry for Grumpy, I know just how it feels and she won't let herself be helped. really do not know what to do with her, hope she will not develop mastitis. Thanks all, appreciate it. I do not think the little fella got any of his mom's colostrum, since he got so weak. he is a fine calf otherwise. I would hate to lose him.

[AlchemyAcres]

In the future, if there's a question of whether the calf has nursed or not, sometimes you can tell by taking a good look at her teats, they'll have an obvious cleaned look and if you can get a hold of 'em you can often feel the film left from the calf's saliva.
Ideally, it's a good to get colostrum in a calf anyway, if possible, because there's no way to tell how much they've gotten even if they have been able to suck.

.....he got so weak. he is a fine calf otherwise.

I give all weak stressed calves like that a few feedings of premium electrolytes, such as Re-Sorb , Sav-A-Caf or Vi-Tal, ASAP! Followed up with a probiotic such as yoghurt or kefir added to milk or milk replacer. I've brought many back from the brink of death.
It also pays to use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature of the electrolytes (or milk or milk replacer) at such a critical time because they can become even more stressed if the temperature isn't correct....100-102 degrees.

~Martin

[bookwormom]

thanks so much Martin,
I have to copy that information down in my how to note book. the little fella seems to be doing okay as of now. I am sure he did not nurse as I looked at the udder and I also tried to milk her, she had serious objections. Now we want to tie her to a post and see if we can help him get the hang of nursing. I do not relish raising a bottle baby with a perfectly good mother right there.
Oh, I checked the temperature on my wrist, like for a human baby. And since I still had frozen goat milk I have fed him that. I am going to make kefir for him, good idea.

[AlchemyAcres]

If he appears well hydrated, spunky and thrifty, back off on the bottle feeding and let him get a bit hungry...see if he'll take to 'er that way. If he's in good shape he can go 12 hours between feedings without worry.


~Martin :)

[bookwormom]

I am afraid he won't. He seemed fine and chipper last night and this morning, by noon he had mucus hanging out of his mouth and is weak and did not want to eat. I gave him penecillin. I am afraid we are going to lose our first calf :'( :'(

[Deberosa]

Sorry to hear about your calf, it's hard in the middle of the winter with a wild cow for the mother for sure...

[AlchemyAcres]

Do you have an esophageal feeder so you can get some electrolytes in him?
If he's not eating by morning it would be a good idea to call the vet, ASAP!!!!

~Martin

[LeatherneckPA]

bookwormmmom how did it turn out? Did the little fella make it?

[bookwormom]

the calf made it. Grumpy is a good momma,but I would not attempt to milk her. Her little boy is doing fine, we named him Chuck. :) :) :)