Calf cant seem to get front leggs under him?

[Nasc]

Had to pull a calf last night around 1am. Calf has tried to stand up but just seems like it is not cordinated enough to get up and nurse.
I have got 2 and half pints of "Sav-A-Caf" Colostrum Supplement in him and very little of his mothers.
Any ideas on helping him get his front leggs under him?

The mother prolapsed and the vet got it back in and stitched up around "2a.m." But she is still "pushing" and has some "hangers" showing is this normal?
Vet is out of town now and I have no way to reach him to ask.

 

[redwingfarm]

Due to hard pull, front legs are probably sore and possibly streched, I have taken a 2" pvc pipe about 12" long and split iinto halves for splints, then put 1-2 tube socks on each splint and use duct tape to tape these to the calves legs from knee to hoof.  this will help staighten the legs and give support to the sore ankles, you will probably have to lift the calf up to get it standing on it "new legs"  as to the cow did the vet give her some banamine to help her feel better, if not you might want to try that.  Good luck

 

[farwest]

Banamine on the calf would help also. IV if you can. 

 

[Nasc]

Thanks for the ideas, gonna try them.

No to the Banamine

 

[DCC_Cattle]

I had a calf that could not get his front legs under him to stand up after a hard pull. If you can, lift the calf up and help it stand. This is what we tryed and it worked. We also put the calf over a bale of straw to nurse and after a few days he gained strength and now he is fine! Just keep working with it, it's most likely sore from the pull.

 

[cowman 52]

  a small bath towel rolled as a splint works good,  duct tape to hold it tight enough to support,  will not cause sores like the pvc does & will allow some flex

 

[Nasc]

  Update:
Calf is still struggling to stand on its front legs. He is making progress but still seems a little confused as to what he should do to get them under him.

The cow is drinking and eating. She is still trying to push but not as frequent as earlier today. We had to put the prolapsed back in today but the stitching kept it from coming all the way out and it wasn’t as hard as expected.

Thanks all for advice I really appreciate it. 

 

[xxcc]

the splints work.  you really only need to leave them on for 12 hours.  take them off. if he can't stand after 1 or 2 hours, put them on again for another 12.  that should do it.  BoSe works pretty good.

if the calf is kind of a brainer, give it some Super B Complex.

 

[Sly]

go to napa get radiator hose 2 1/2 wide.  Cut off 8 inches a piece put on calf each legg that is and grey tape the top part to the calf. This gives the calf  support but not too stiff like pipe if you know what i mean. Never had any problems so far.  Worried about cow though good luck ???

 

[Nasc]

3a.m.update.
Calf is alert and had a bowel movement. He made a strong effort to walk on his front and just about got it. “I thought he was going to”
I got about ¼ a pint of his mothers colostrum in him. His ears are perky and he seems to be gaining more strength.

The mother is a worry, she is still “contracting” though not nearly as frequent. Had to put the prolapse back in again. The stitching is helping and we have been vet advised she should quit trying to throw it with-in a day or two.  I’m going to look into taking her up to OSU first of the week (as soon as we can get her in) and see what they can do for her. She is still drinking but left her evening grain relatively untouched.

In the morning we are going to try the splints.
I will try to get a few pictures of the calf as well.


Thank you all again for your advice
Nasc 

 

[xxcc]

when you take her to OSU, tell them you want a purse stitch.  it's kinda crude, but the prolapse won't come out and you won't have troubles with her at least right now.  they should have the tool for it.

 

[CAB]

  You may want to put an alcohol block in her to keep her from straining.

 

[common sense]

I completely agree with CAB.  I think that an alcohol block would be a great help to this cow.  They will still pass the placenta in most cases but you need to stop the straining.  I would do this asap...might save you hauling her anywhere and causing any more stress.

Sounds like the calf is getting stronger.  I think that getting the calf up often an just letting him stand is the best way to get him stronger.  You should see a change each time you get him up.  Good luck!

Juli

 

[Nasc]

Vet came back out this morning and put the prolapse back in. Did the bloc and re-stitched her. He is still optimistic with her recovery. The cow is resting now and not trying to push.

The calf took a pint of powdered milk this morning. He got all the way up on his right leg but still struggled with the left. We did the splint thing at first with the left leg and it helped him however after a couple of steps he knuckled over on his right front pastern so we went ahead and put a splint on the right leg as well.

I’m going to be posting some pictures.
Nasc 

 

[Nasc]

Here is what we used tomake the splints.

 

[KPSC]

Did your vet check the legs on your calf?? Only reason i ask is because we had a really hard pull two years ago and broke the poor guys leg. Your calf seems very alert and if he is eating for you that's good. Your calf looks pretty good size, what is it?? I am a worry wart when it comes to my new calves i can't imagine what I'd be like if i have kids. lol.... good luck.  Keep us updated on the progress. 

 

[Nasc]

Yes Vet checked calf’s legs.
He said all appeared ok and is under the opinion the calf issues is tendon related.

This bull calf is an Alias out of a Heatwave/Meyer cow. Calf was a tick over the 100lbs mark on the hanging scales. From other breeders of this same cross I was expecting an 80 pounder.

Monday Morning update:
The calf can now get upon all 4 and is walking/hobbling about 16 feet at a time. He is gaining strength and is nursing the bottle quite vigorously now.  He is moving his right front leg good but is still knuckling on his left front pastern. We put the splints back on him this morning and will take them back off around 6pm tonight.

The cow is doing better since the bloc and I have not seen her try any contractions since the bloc.
This morning she took to licking the calf so we may still have a chance to get him  nursing on her if things keep moving in a positive direction. As of right now she is out grazing.

Nasc

 

[Nasc]

Calf was able to nurse a little tonight.
Still having trouble with the left front pastern wanting to knuckle but he was able to stand on his own for a spell today, he just seems uncoordinated but improving.

Cow is doing a lot better.

 

[KPSC]

GLAD TO HEAR BOTH ARE IMPROVING!!!  <party>  CALVING SEASON IS SOO STRESSFUL. 

 

[Jeferin]

GLAD TO HEAR BOTH ARE IMPROVING!!!  <party>  CALVING SEASON IS SOO STRESSFUL. 

Also the most exciting time of the year.

Nasc, Hope all works out for you.