Bull calf with urine blockage

[thinkyesi]

I have a friend that is having issues with a bull calf. He is very swollen and cant urinate. Any clues what could cause it or any possibility to treat it?

 

[Aapomp831]

I know nothing about cows, but I would have a urine sample checked for bladder stones. My dog had a blockage and couldn’t pee and it turned out to be stones from an undetected bladder infection.

 

[HappyDuckie]

Are you a member of BYH? You may want to post there.

 

[cassie]

This sounds harsh, but he needs to be seen by a vet or shot. There is something else but it may not apply to a bovine. On the end of the penis of a buck goat there is an appendage about an inch long that looks a little like a wire. Sometimes if you clip that off it will relieve the blockage. It is very narrow and the stones can lodge there. I have no idea whether or not bulls have this appendage and I have no bulls on the place right now that I can check. Anyway, you pull the sheath back to expose the penis. If that appendage is there you can whack it off with a sharp pair of side cutters. Would I do it? No. I would call the vet.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Please call your farm vet or local vet for this. I'm sure the calf is in an unbearable amount of pain.

 

[thinkyesi]

It's not my calf, it's a friends. They called the vet and the vet only suggested to put it down.

 

[cassie]

Under the circumstances that is really the only humane option. Urinary blockages are not only expensive and difficult to treat, but the outcome is very iffy. Based on the photo, it looks like the calf was too far gone for treatment to be successful in any event. I am sorry. Thank you for letting us know.