Jersey Bull Calf Need Help

[blueoval1]

I was just given a 5 week old jersey bull from a family that is moving out west. They have been bottle feeding him and I fed him lastnight and this morning he does not want to drink and has diarrhea. What should I do?

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Did you overfeed him last night? Did you change his formula? It could be the move stressed him some and he may have been on the verge of getting sick before the move and then the move to your place took him down. You need to act quickly and locate a vet. I don't mess with waiting around for advice that may not be accurate. Find a vet now, so he can help you. Babies with dirrhea can go down fast. Please call your vet.

 

[texaschick-a-dee]

Definately call the vet and I've never had to take a calf in, usually they will just let you come by and pick up medicine.

 

[blueoval1]

I think the move might have stressed him out. And our vet lives right down the street. Would it be ok to give him peoptobismol? someone suggested that.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Quote:
I would withhold milk today and get Resorb or some other electrolyte feeding. Try introducing milk again tomorrow. Are you feeding the same type and amount they were? And what kind of diarrhea? Normal calf stool is soft, but not watery or liquidy.

Also, since he's 5 weeks old are you offering grain and hay?

 

[blueoval1]

Yes we are feeding the same amount but we also got a 1 week old goat kid and she is doing fine.

His stool has sort of a yellow tint and it is runny not normal cow pies.

We are offering hay and grain we also have a few salt chunks from our salt block is that ok?

Thanks everyone!

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

It sounds like Scours. Call the vet. Don't put it off. They'll let you pick up the meds. Pls. call your vet.

 

[arabianequine]

I would get scour meds from you vet they give me a 3 day treatment 2 different pills and like 2 bucks oh and a pill pusher or be prepared to shove you hand way back in their throat the feed store has one of the pills I get from the vet kinda spendy though unless you will have lots of baby calfs you have to buy a big jug of them...I can't find the other in the feed stores so I just get from my vet.....also go to your local farm feed store and buy a gallon jug of keopectin....cost me 10 bucks a must to have on hand you can give it to cats, dogs, horses, cows, goats, and their babies and every time you see it poo runny or watery give it the required dose you gotta give it frequently....ask your vet what dose....the bottle may say the dose. Yellow poo is grain scours.....I give free choice sweet grain from 3 days old so mine are well use to it by 5 weeks old and the sooner and more hay they eat the fiber will firm up the poo too.

The meds I get from the vet are one was sulfa max and the other was albon 5mg I belive I have not had any babies for a while now....one of those pills works right away and one last for 3 days.....also jerseys are so weak and go very very fast. I would also get some electroylites in the little guy....I use corn syrup and water 2 qt bottle 3-4 times a day if he will drink it....they like sweet.....I also use gatorade and water 50/50 mix switch back and forth throughout the day. If not drinking you need to bag him or find someone who can a local farmer.....when their tummy is upset they don't want to drink.

If you have any queations feel free to ask.

Good luck let us know how things go!

 

[she-earl]

I would get some electrolytes for him. We can get a powdered mix that is added to water at our local feed store. Ours is called calf Res-Q. Remember that electrolytes don't provide nutrition for him. When I have a calf with scours, I will feed the electrolytes and then the next feeding give milk. I alternate between the two for two days or so depending on how the calf is responding. Depending on how severe his scours is, you may need to feed him some whole milk instead of milk replacer. Then you would need to gradually switch back over to milk replacer. Keep an eye on him and make sure he responds to electrolytes which I haven't found to be a problem. Keep us posted.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

How is he doing? Did the vet supply the meds?