Orphaned calf

[heatherlynnky]

If you can get something called SMZ tablets from a vet to add to any bottles or electrolytes you give they help huge with bottle babies. I had one I thought we were going to lose. Actually the vet said just give up. Called my brother who does have experience and he drove close to an hour to come help me out. He called a friend of his who runs a dairy farm and is actually a farm vet. He only does farm animals and nothing else. Mine gets a tablet in each bottle and she went from could not stand and rattling sound in her chest to being all sorts of playful and into trouble. From what I can tell its some type of sulfur tablet and apparently it keeps something from growing down in the gut that causes scours and pneumonia. I will be honest anything that starts to sound to graphic for me I just get dizzy and tune them out so.... but they work. My brother swears by them for all his bottle babies and he tries to avoid having those in the first place. I agree I would get rid of the gal if she is not doing her job. Every bottle baby we have had struggled with scours and its a ton of work pulling them through when it gets bad.

Also I was told ignore the directions on the milk replacer and cut the powder down just a bit. Old guy that decided to adopt us a bit and help us newbies out told me cut the powder just a little bit because he always found it was a bit too strong for their bellies. The vet had us do half milk replacer and half electrolytes for well over a week before we were to slowly up the amount of milk replacer and cut back on the electrolytes. I have easily bottle fed goats and we used no replacer at all. I used whole cows milk and it worked very well. Also for strength and vitamines I always add a touch of molassas and some powdered probiotics. I do it to the kids so I do it to the goat kids and the calves too. I am new at the calves but just went through this so I thought I would share.

 

[Cricket]

we've been using sulfameth/trimeth-tablets once a day--they've been a wonder!

The milk replacer directions say that the lines on the provided cup are just a guide and that you should weigh the replacer. I did years ago and it was right on. This winter I weighed it and it weighed much heavier. Don't know if my scale is off, or . . . ? It might be worth checking when you get a new bag.

Edit: 1 inch below black line is 8oz, black 8 oz. line is at least 10 oz. Checked scale against something and it was right on. It may not make a difference on a good size calf, but if you're tweaking a small one along, I'd feel it was significant.

 

[redtailgal]

hmmm. I've never weighed the replacer. I've always used the measuring cups provided in the bags, but have always EASED calves into full strength portions and remained as consistent as possible with my measuring. I've raised more calves than I can count. In my experiences, scours have never been about how the replacer is mixed, but more about overfeeding, starting too much or too strong formula too fast, or poorly cleaned equipment.

I tend to stay away from soy based replacer......they are harder to digest and seem to cause more frequent and more severe scours.

I am curious, those of you who weigh the replacer.........how far "off" are the actual measurements?

 

[julierx1]

Calf seems to be doing much better. She is getting 1 1/2 quarts diluted replacer 3 times a day and I believe that after this morning Im stoppiong the electrolytes and rying just milk for a bit. I did give scour ease this afternoon and will do the same tonight but her poop is getting pretty norm to me. It is puddling on the hay instead of falling thru it. My next step is to introduce her to some calf starter and also teach her to drink from water container. I thought she did this the other day but not sure now. Everytime I attempt, she refuses but loves cold water from bottle. Any suggestions on how to teach her this?

 

[redtailgal]

Yup. Quit giving her a bottle! No seriously........Quit giving her a bottle, teach her to drink her milk from a bucket. Here's how:

Get a helper the first couple times. Pour about half your milk into the bucket. Let her start sucking your fingers, and lower those fingers into the milk (Have your helper holding the bucket tight). She'll slurp up a snoot full of milk (dont have your face over her, she may startle and bring her head up real quick. It does not feel good on the nose. Trust me on this. :/ ) You may have to use your fingers to entice her for a few times, stick with it. Most of my calves "get it" on the first bucket, but a few need a couple feedings to get it figured out. STICK WITH IT....dont start with the bucket and resort to the bottle.

Having her off the bottle and on the bucket will benefit you in several ways......first she will learn to drink out of that bucket and be able to drink water whenever she needs it. Second......she will see that bucket as FOOD.....and you can start putting some calf starter in it. Because the calf starter is in the FOOD bucket, she will instantly be curious and will probably want to taste that weird new milk. Get her on a bucket and she'll eat her grain better, wean easier and have a head start on her weight gain. (My bucket babies are always heavier than any that I leave on the bottle).

Glad she is feeling better. Ya did good!

 

[julierx1]

New question about Baabette. She is doing wonderful now and her poo is thick and normal. I have been giving 3 bottles a day w/ 1 quart sometimes 1 1/2 of diluted milk. I would like to start 2 bottles a day but not sure how to go about it. Do i switch all together and also would like to go back to undiluted milk

 

[redtailgal]

At this point, I'd just switch to two 2 quart bottles a day. Give it to her full strength but watch her closely and dilute it if she starts getting loose again.

 

[julierx1]

Well as of tonight it is a bit loose again. Havent had electrolytes since Monday morn. bottle but milk has been a little diluted. I think I will go back to major diluting of bottles and try 2 times a day and watch and see. Thanks for ur info. It has been alot of help

 

[redtailgal]

Pick up some corrid or di-meth and give her a run of that (for coccidia) . You'll have to pour it down her throat, dont add it to her bottle, it tastes NASTY. You can use a large syringe (without the needle, of course). Put the tip as far back in her throat as you can. You'll need to repeat this med for several days in a row. Follow the directions on your packaging. DONT put it in her bottle.....it will quickly teach her to hate her bottle.

and are you using probios or yogurt? If not, I really suggest you do it. It will help her.