Calves Not Nursing?

[DCC_Cattle]

We have a group of commercial cows that are on their 5th calves. The first one calved last Tuesday and the calf seemed fine and very active, but it was never seen nursing so we gave it a bottle of colostrum and tried to get it nursing but it never seemed interested and that calf died last night. Since then, 2 days ago another cow calved and the calf seemed lively but now it just lays around and does not seem to be nursing. Early this morning another calved and the calf seemed lively, but never showed any sign of trying to nurse. They have been separated from the rest of the herd. Could these calves have some sort of deficiency that is causing them to have no interest in nursing. Have never seen this before.

 

[OH Breeder]

One thing we have done under advice of our vet with calves like this shot of B-12 and MuSe. Sometimes an electrolyte drench helps as well. Have you discussed with your vet ?

 

[LIMO]

B-12 works and sometimes giving them a bottle or two helps give them a head start.  This years weather seems to be giving everyone trouble in the calving department.  I have had some come earlier than scheduled and think they just need some help.

 

[kanshow]

We've had more trouble than normal this year with calves not getting up and at it like they should.  I don't know if it's the cold, the mud, or a result of the cattle being under stress for such a long drawn out winter.  I for one will be glad to see the last calf out and this winter over and in the record books.  I'm so over it.

What we've been doing is just being far more proactive than usual.    We get out and bag calves with colostrx that maybe on a more normal year, we'd give more time to.    We bring those up by the barn and it has more often than not taken 2 - 3 tube feedings before the calf gets up and gets going.    I've got one locked up now that we are waiting for the calf to get up and at it. 

 

[linnettejane]

try asap nurse mate...

http://www.pbsanimalhealth.com/details/Nurse-Mate-ASAP-for-Calves/437-15.html

An appetite stimulator/first milk supplement containing special proteins, vitamins & lactic acid-producing bacteria to help get newborn calves up and nursing A.S.A.P. Calves then receive the benefits they need from mother's colostrum. Administer 1 tube as soon after birth as possible.

we used it this year and im sold...

 

[DTW]

What are you feeding your cows prior to calving?
I give my cows three lbs of corn starting three weeks prior to calving.  That seems to help give the calves more vigor at birth.

Years ago i remember my father having calves born that wouldnt suck.  They would go back there but couldnt roll their tongues.  After a year of loosing calves the vets finally diagnosed it as white muscle disease.  A shot of MuSe or BoSe would fix it in no time.  Havent had a problem in years just make sure have good mineral and balanced for what you are feeding in front of the cows all the time. 

 

[jbw]

My Grandpa was telling me that something similar to that was happening to him,calves that did not seem to know what they are doing and no will to live. He said he was feeding cheap mineral.  Switched mineral and  he force fed vitamin packs right in the feed, It took care of the problem right away.  Never fed cheap mineral again!!

 

[kanshow]

I agree regarding the mineral & feed.  However, if we've used this same good mineral in the past with no problems, what has changed?  IMO, I think there is way more stress on our cattle in this region than normal.  Had we known the winter was going to be so bad, would changing our mineral have helped?  If so, how would we know what to change to?   

 

[CAB]

I agree regarding the mineral & feed.   However, if we've used this same good mineral in the past with no problems, what has changed?   IMO, I think there is way more stress on our cattle in this region than normal.   Had we known the winter was going to be so bad, would changing our mineral have helped?  If so, how would we know what to change to?   

  Ask your feedman, they always have something better. If he/she doesn't, ask a different feed salesmen, he'll/she'll have something not just different, but way better.
  All kidding aside, I have noticed that with the high prices of mineral elements that some companies are changing their products composition to be more competitive in the marketplace. You might want to ck your tags.

 

[DCC_Cattle]

Thanks for all of the advice. We did see one of the calves nursing this morning and the other one seems to be doing fine, so hopefully we just panicked and got worried too quick. We did talk to the vet and he said to just get them on the cows as soon as possible.