Bottle calves.... updates on progress

[Beekissed]

I had a calf like this that I syringed the fluids into with a big 60cc syringe. I used buttermilk mixed with raw Jersey milk and honey. I also gave the calf some Lomotil in this solution. Did this for a few days and the calf was soon on his feet and nursing on a foster cow on his own. He was only a few days old.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

Thanks S&N I will check at my local AG Supply.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

Quote:
I'll use the 60cc method as my fall back. Thanks, Beekissed.

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

I had my son asked his boss..the dairy owner-what he suggest his response: force electrolytes down them, he uses a plastic 20oz coke bottle when in a pinch..i have used a turkey baster with my dogs, give a b-12 shot, start antibiotics, do the electrolytes often..get Re-sorb if possible..keep dry and warm..(do be careful in the forse..make them swallow..don't get it in their lungs..straddle the calf, pull head back slightly open mouth, stroke down throat to try and induce swallowing)..

Do you have a farm center close?..the one we have works very close with the dairy farmers and are very knowledgable-sp?-..it does sound like they need some antibiotics-the b-12 may make them feel a little better and help them to eat/drink..

 

[nop169]

As mentioned above scours may be caused by several things from stress to immunity suppression. Often with new calves it is from the lack of chlost. or from people not being clean with the calf bottle & nipple. As stated by others you can use SMZT, Sulmet or amoxicillin or one of the Scour Halt remedies with good results - but be aware that using these antibiotics must be monitored as the antibiotic will also scour your calf due to the killing off of the "good" gut culture. I will not repeat the excellent advice on clean, draft free housing or antibiotic use already giving but do want to stress for you to clean your bottles & nipples after each feeding. I often place a dallop of bleach in mine & let them soak until the next feeding. I also use sour cream/yogurt/cottage cheese or buttermilk in my feedings - I use about a tablespoon in each feeding to help balance the stomach cullture in healthy calves or calves just beginning to show signs of scour. There are products sold for this also like Probios. With a bad case of scours I often use the buttermilk - feed a cup or two alone & follow with an electrolyte solution instead of milk replacer. This has worked well for me many times without the use of antibiotics.
I would encourage you to talk to your vet or local knowledgeable dairyman or farmer for more detailed information about scours & its causes & treatment before choosing a method of prevention or treatment. Hope this helps you or at least gives you another angle to study to help you decide the best method of treatment for your calves. Good Luck

 

[Pumpkinpup]

I have consulted the Merck Vet Mannual and am proceeding to speak with the vet as to which meds are most bennificial to this situation. Thank you all for the great advice! You are all most helpful!

 

[Cara]

I had a scouring heifer calf this year that wouldn't get up and wouldn't eat or drink. I syringed Bounce Back (an electrolyte by Manna Pro) down her throat every two hours for 24hrs, including through the night. I didn't have a drencher on hand, that would have made life a lot easier, so I just used a huge 30cc syringe. I did not feed her anything else that day. I wasn't looking forward to checking on her the following morning, but when I did she was up and bouncing around

In bottle calves scours is usually caused by the change in diet if they are on replacer. It is very important not to make it too strong. We haven't had any problems with calves raised on goats milk and they look significantly better.

If you are using replacer, some brands are significantly better than others. You want milk proteins not soy, as found in cheaper brands. Goat milk replacer also works well. However we've had far better results with raw goats milk from our does.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

This evening the babies are drinking water from a pail and one has much more normal bowl movements so we are making some headway! I know we are still a long way from in the clear but it is a positive step none the less.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

Well, things have been further complicated by the onset of pneumonia. I have consulted with the vet and Tylan is the drug of choice so am administering it in the hopes of beating this stuff. I am so very worried as they had enough strikes against them before this started.

 

[Beekissed]

Sorry.

I hope the meds work...this is a bad time of year to be dealing with pneumonia.