Navel Ill is not always seen by a navel sweeling or other signs of infection. Early on, a calf may get some bacteria in it's navel and not show any signs for weeks or months, other times it is evident almost within hours.
Almost without exception, the first place you will seeit's affect is in the FRONT knees. They will be swollen, and most every calf will show signs of bucking over due to the pain of standing straight. It is not always due to being straight fronted, but can add to it.
Treatment is usually easy -- I have simply used straight Penniccillin for years and years, within a few days itis usually on it's way out. Takes a week of treatment, either long acting every other day or the normal strength for a week every day. Depending on size, I usually gave 10 ml per day to new calves and slightly more for a bigger one. It will not hurt to try, haven't had one for years now, but every single one I ever treated got over it -- just make sure you dilgently give the treatment for a week or it will fool you into thinking it is gone, only to come back later~!
Good liuck on this one, it seems a little late to me but you never know!
Terry
A picture would help~~~~