What to do with big weak calves

[drl]

What do you guys do when you have a calf just born that is healthy other than they have trouble standing up? I have a big bull calf that can get up on his front legs but not on his back legs. He does not appear to have any injuries like a broken leg. He just seems weak on the back legs. I got colostrum in him and gave him banamine for swelling or pain if that is a problem.I just used a calf weigh sling to hold him up so he could nurse and he got a good dose there.  Any other suggestions?

 

[FutureBreeder2013]

i had a problem similar to this when i worked at a small dairy. we had a big bull calf born that was hip locked for a while so we had to pull him. he seemed healthy and normal until we noticed he couldnt stand on his back legs. i put him into a calf hut and bottle fed him and gave him meds but in the end he ended up not surviving and had a broken back from the pull while he was hip locked. we didnt detect the break when we all went over him after he was dry. i hope your calf turns out better

 

[OH Breeder]

Without obivous injury, some of those "big dumb" calves take a few days to get going. Definitely make sure the calf stands and gets up and nurses. How long has it been since he has stood? If you stand him up can he support himself?

 

[Mark H]

DRL,

Make sure this calf get colostrum in the first few hours-even if it means milking the cow and stomach tubing the calf.  make sure the calf stays warm and free from drafts.  You may also want to give the calf electrolytes and antibiotics since this calf is stressed.
Make sure the cows stays near the calf or you will have a pail bunter on your hands if he survives.

Mark (dog)

 

[TMJ Show Cattle]

DRL,

I put mine on Penicillian and be sure you lift him.  I may also use Dex if he has any swelling. 

See you at the Pioneer!! 

Carrie

 

[drl]

Thanks everybody. The calf is getting up now on his own and does that little hop newborns do. He has trouble with his rear hips/back legs that he favors one rear leg over another but I think he should grow out of that. We call him Sluggo.

 

[jallen]

What do you guys do when you have a calf just born that is healthy other than they have trouble standing up? I have a big bull calf that can get up on his front legs but not on his back legs. He does not appear to have any injuries like a broken leg. He just seems weak on the back legs. I got colostrum in him and gave him banamine for swelling or pain if that is a problem.I just used a calf weigh sling to hold him up so he could nurse and he got a good dose there.  Any other suggestions?

The banamine you gave him if to much or no pain he will become laxadazical and that could be why he looks week on the back also depending on where you gave it to him.

 

[Cattledog]

Sounds like the classic 'Big Dumb Bullcalf Syndrome'.