Abscess in one month old calf

[farmerjan]

Antibiotic could be excenel or naxcel, and the possibility of it being lumpy jaw are probably slim. I have had calves get a lump from when a cow kicks them when they are trying to nurse. Is this one that you tried to put on the jersey? It is not that unheard of for them to get even a little thorn while trying out some hay and it lodges in the skin and causes an infection. Think sliver under the skin and you didn't see it until it swells and get pussy and then you get it opened and keep it open for a day or two until all the junk is out and the swelling goes down.

 

[Southern by choice]

Antibiotic could be excenel or naxcel, and the possibility of it being lumpy jaw are probably slim. I have had calves get a lump from when a cow kicks them when they are trying to nurse. Is this one that you tried to put on the jersey? It is not that unheard of for them to get even a little thorn while trying out some hay and it lodges in the skin and causes an infection. Think sliver under the skin and you didn't see it until it swells and get pussy and then you get it opened and keep it open for a day or two until all the junk is out and the swelling goes down.

I think it is slim too, but why a vet wouldn't culture is beyond me.
There is very little expense with it and it is a better diagnostic aid.

 

[Green Acres Farm]

I think it is slim too, but why a vet wouldn't culture is beyond me.
There is very little expense with it and it is a better diagnostic aid.

Our vet charged $300... Is that typical?

 

[Southern by choice]

No. That is robbery.

 

[cjc]

Ya the vet just seemed super confident that it would go away, he said it wasn't nearly as bad as lumpy jaw or cases that become lumpy jaw. I also have been told this a few times with my calves that have had infections drained. The clear or yellowish liquid means they caught it early, when its thick and white it means its been around awhile and has a higher risk of attacking bone. This calves was clear and yellow. Very liquid and not thick at all. They used the same theory with my calf with joint ill and the vet checked him again the other day and said he had zero aliments from the joint ill 4 months later. So in that case that theory worked out.

Our vet is really expensive too. I paid $500 for that visit . I had blood tested for glucose levels once and that cost me $50. Not sure how much they would charge for the bacteria culture. Large animal vets for cows are hard to come by in our area. They really only service the dairies so getting one out I always have to wait for hours/days and pay a hefty fee. But I am a sucker for these guys, I don't like to risk leaving them even slightly ill.

 

[cjc]

Antibiotic could be excenel or naxcel, and the possibility of it being lumpy jaw are probably slim. I have had calves get a lump from when a cow kicks them when they are trying to nurse. Is this one that you tried to put on the jersey? It is not that unheard of for them to get even a little thorn while trying out some hay and it lodges in the skin and causes an infection. Think sliver under the skin and you didn't see it until it swells and get pussy and then you get it opened and keep it open for a day or two until all the junk is out and the swelling goes down.

This is not the calf that was on my Jersey. I don't think he was kicked. He just started really eating hay and grain. He has been nibbling on it for weeks but the few days before he got this he has been really eating it, consuming quiet a bit. I am assuming it was some hay or the corn from the grain. It's so strange but this year my two sweetest calves both got sick. So weird how that works out. The mean ones seem to be invincible and then the sweet gentle ones always get run down. And that pulls at my heart strings!

 

[Southern by choice]

That is outrageous!

One thing I didn't mention is that Actinomyces bovis is horrid smelling! You would want to vomit!
If you ever have a lump that starts draining and smells like that then you know.

 

[Green Acres Farm]

My grandmother paid $1000 for a "specialist" vet to culture something on her dog... And they never gave her the results when she asked...

Our vet has charged a LOT worse than that... @Southern by choice, I think you just have an awesome vet.

 

[NH homesteader]

OK what? Your vet charged $300 for a culture? Yikes! That even seems steep for the pricier vets around here.

 

[Green Acres Farm]

OK what? Your vet charged $300 for a culture? Yikes! That even seems steep for the pricier vets around here.

Well, he also drained it.