broken leg

[CMANGUS]

2 day old calf has a broken rear leg.  the break is above the hock and below the knee.  we had it casted.. anyone have any luck with these type healing ok and the calf going on to be productive.  this was the first heifer calf out of this cow and an AI calf also.

 

[ai er]

Being young and of relatively light weight, should heal fairly quickly.  Might not ever be "normal" but should be ok.

 

[CAB]

  My experience has been both ways. One calf one day old cast and lead a full productive life here. Has daughters, grand daughters, and great grand daughters here. The next one we did, the leg fell off with the cast when they took it off. The hair makes it somewhat tricky in my opinion. It can start to become infected and rotten underneath the cast without you knowing it. I think a well applied splint may be best sometimes. Keep the calf as dry as you can and try to check the legs condition very often.

 

[CowboyPT]

The vet should pre-cut the cast long ways when they apply it and duct tape it together.  After 2 weeks you take a pair of scissors and cut the tape on one side, expand the cast a bit to give the leg a little more room to grow and duct tape it back.  Then you leave it on 3 more weeks before removing it (assuming the leg is fully healed then). This will prevent the calf's leg from loosing circulation and the leg "falling off".  Calf that young should have no long term effects if done correctly.

 

[DLB]

I had one break on a newborn.  I used a yard stick, pool noodle and duct tape.  Vet liked the job so left it alone.  Calf wore. Cast for 5wks.  It came off on its own. And you would never know it was broken except the hair is a bit shorter on that leg. We are on month 6 and weaning him and he's good to go. Hope your calf makes it and all goes well.

 

[CMANGUS]

thank you everyone for the advice