Help Needed WIth Baby Calf...Emergency

gingerfleguel · 01-16-2007, 12:49 PM

We just had a calf at the farm that was born from a first time mother. Ends up the calf got stuck in the birth canal....we finally managed to pull the calf out, and the calf was literally hanging onto life by a thread. Today we have tube fed the calf some electrolytes, and we are about to go and give him some more milk via tube feeding. His head is majorly swollen and his tongue is protruding from his mouth. We are really wanting to get him to suck on a bottle with a nipple, but he has no suction control in his mouth and his tongue just hangs out and he is unable to do so. The Vet has given us an injection called 'Anafen' which is an anti inflammatory...but I dont feel like I am doing enough to help this little guy. IF anyone has dealt with a situation like this ...advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Ginger

calicocalgirl · 01-16-2007, 01:00 PM

My dairy guys say thats what happens when they get hung up. Their head swells and so does there tongue. Just keep it eating, the swelling should go down especially if the vet gave it an anti-inflammtory.

**QuarterCowGirl** · 01-16-2007, 01:04 PM

I had a similar thing happen. It was freezing and the mother only had that baby's head out. We finally the baby out, the mother wanted nothing to do with him and his tongue was too swollen to even fit in his mouth. We brought him into the barn and I raised him myself.

You'll probably have to continue tube feeding until his tongue shrinks down otherwise he won't be able to swollow. Just keep him warm and hydrated. Eventually his tongue will be normal and you can try bottle feeding, until then I wouldn't even go there, you don't want to get fluid on his lungs. Good luck!

iris_surreal_euphoria · 01-16-2007, 01:10 PM

I had a mini donkey born that way. I didn't know what was wrong with her, she was up and nursing seemed fine but for a whole day her tongue would not go into her mouth. Her mama kept trying to bite it to get it back in. She ended up being fine. Best of luck with that calf, the swelling should go down, especailly since the vet administered anti infam.

Has the calf had colostrum? I've had to bottle raise donkeys and once the foal didn't get enough good quality colostrum and we had a time with her. She made it though. Make sure the baby gets that first milk. Sounds like you are doing everything right and doing all you can. All you can do now is hope and try. Best of luck and I hope the little one makes it. Make sure you have people to relieve you cos being an animal mommy is tiring!

nomeanjean · 01-16-2007, 01:10 PM

I have no imput other than good luck and my prayers are with you!

Awesome Paints · 01-16-2007, 03:18 PM

The swelling should go down on its own, just keep tubing him until it does. Once that happens he should be able to nurse normally. Did you give him colostrum before the milk? Without that he'll never thrive.

gingerfleguel · 01-16-2007, 05:22 PM

yes we did give him colostum a few times shortly after his birth. Now the vet has told us to try Homo Milk....so were gave it a good tube feeding tonight....He made one attempt to get up...so we helped him stand...he had no desire to walk....he simply falls over when hes too tired. When we helped him walk.....he simply fell over. I did notice that his breathing changes drastically when he is up and moving...its like he has severe asthma...(could that be possible) but he breaths really heavy almost heaving....so we just let him lay down then. I make him stand up while im tube feeding though. Thanks for the support and help guys

iris_surreal_euphoria · 01-16-2007, 05:26 PM

I've had really good luck with uni-milk.

I hope he pulls through.

Keep us posted.

**QuarterCowGirl** · 01-16-2007, 06:27 PM

I've heard that goat milk can do amazing things for calves, so that might be something to look into.

What kind of electrolytes are you feeding him?

gingerfleguel · 01-16-2007, 09:11 PM

im not quite sure what kind they are however I will look and get back to you. Well I went to tube feed again tonight...and hes taken a turn for the worse.....he just doesnt look nearly as alert as he did this afternoon...his breathing is still the same....his breath is warm...his mouth is warm and there are no signs of dehydration...and no diarrhea. His tongue is starting to dry up (from sticking out) and his nose was dry so I covered him up with a nice woolen blanket...and put vaseline on his nose and tongue. I will honestly be surprised if he makes it the night

We have done everything that the vet has told us to do. She told us to get him sucking...but he cant stand on his own...and he does not have the muscle to even grasp a nipple with his mouth...so thats not going to work right now...so we are continuing tube feeding. Is there such thing as having a mentally retarded calf? It sounds silly but by the way he is acting/breathing and unable to function I really wonder?

**QuarterCowGirl** · 01-17-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gingerfleguel

Is there such thing as having a mentally retarded calf? It sounds silly but by the way he is acting/breathing and unable to function I really wonder?

Yep.

I took one in and he couldn't do anything, he finally passed away.

Orchid · 01-17-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuarterCowGirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by gingerfleguel

Is there such thing as having a mentally retarded calf? It sounds silly but by the way he is acting/breathing and unable to function I really wonder?

Yep.

I took one in and he couldn't do anything, he finally passed away.

Lack of oxygen can do that to any mammal - I am sorry ginger.

dimpleflirt · 01-17-2007, 11:04 AM

Olive oil or some thing similar may be better for the tongue than vasiline.I killed a couple of our breeder mice after lubing their wheel with vasiline.They licked it off ,got really bad diarear (sP) and passed away. We swab seniors in the nursing home with glisern swabs to keep their mouths moist,I think it is sold in the Walmart pharmacy by the bottle .
Good luck with the poor thing.

gingerfleguel · 01-17-2007, 08:33 PM

Well sad news today. I went to the barn this morning...and the calf was laying in the same spot with his blanket on...and he was dead

I respect the fact that he is in no pain now...and we did all that we really could do to save him. Thanks guys for all your help.

CoppysGirl · 01-17-2007, 08:38 PM

So sorry for your loss.

I think we can all agree though that he's in a better place - no more pain. You did what you could; be happy knowing that he was well cared for and loved the short time he was on this planet!

princesskristin · 01-17-2007, 08:40 PM

Poor little guy, I'm real sorry to hear that. Prayers and thoughts coming your way

Pony express · 01-17-2007, 08:43 PM

I'm so sorry, what a sad ending.

TheUpNorthCowgirl · 01-17-2007, 08:47 PM

Awww

I'm sorry to hear about you little calf.

farmergal · 01-18-2007, 02:22 AM

I'm so sorry that all your efforts ended in vein. (((HUGS))) You did all that you could. It sounded to me like he had a lack of oxygen while in the birth canal. I was told that a dry nose can be a sign of pneumonia.

I lost a stuck calf when the mother backed into the wall and pushed the calf back into the birth canal and it suffocated. We were heart broken as it was our first calf. We lost the mother too.

01-16-2007, 12:49 PM
gingerfleguel Kid Safe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,660	Help Needed WIth Baby Calf...Emergency We just had a calf at the farm that was born from a first time mother. Ends up the calf got stuck in the birth canal....we finally managed to pull the calf out, and the calf was literally hanging onto life by a thread. Today we have tube fed the calf some electrolytes, and we are about to go and give him some more milk via tube feeding. His head is majorly swollen and his tongue is protruding from his mouth. We are really wanting to get him to suck on a bottle with a nipple, but he has no suction control in his mouth and his tongue just hangs out and he is unable to do so. The Vet has given us an injection called 'Anafen' which is an anti inflammatory...but I dont feel like I am doing enough to help this little guy. IF anyone has dealt with a situation like this ...advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Ginger

01-16-2007, 01:00 PM
calicocalgirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: inbetweenhere&there, Pa Posts: 3,464	My dairy guys say thats what happens when they get hung up. Their head swells and so does there tongue. Just keep it eating, the swelling should go down especially if the vet gave it an anti-inflammtory.

01-16-2007, 01:04 PM
QuarterCowGirl Welcome and Introductions Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario, CANADA Posts: 7,383	I had a similar thing happen. It was freezing and the mother only had that baby's head out. We finally the baby out, the mother wanted nothing to do with him and his tongue was too swollen to even fit in his mouth. We brought him into the barn and I raised him myself. You'll probably have to continue tube feeding until his tongue shrinks down otherwise he won't be able to swollow. Just keep him warm and hydrated. Eventually his tongue will be normal and you can try bottle feeding, until then I wouldn't even go there, you don't want to get fluid on his lungs. Good luck! __________________ I'm a farmer - I'll grow on you.

01-16-2007, 01:10 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,117	I had a mini donkey born that way. I didn't know what was wrong with her, she was up and nursing seemed fine but for a whole day her tongue would not go into her mouth. Her mama kept trying to bite it to get it back in. She ended up being fine. Best of luck with that calf, the swelling should go down, especailly since the vet administered anti infam. Has the calf had colostrum? I've had to bottle raise donkeys and once the foal didn't get enough good quality colostrum and we had a time with her. She made it though. Make sure the baby gets that first milk. Sounds like you are doing everything right and doing all you can. All you can do now is hope and try. Best of luck and I hope the little one makes it. Make sure you have people to relieve you cos being an animal mommy is tiring! __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

01-16-2007, 01:10 PM
nomeanjean Coming two Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Freezing WV Posts: 1,555	I have no imput other than good luck and my prayers are with you! __________________ One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend.

01-16-2007, 03:18 PM
Awesome Paints Coming two Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,965	The swelling should go down on its own, just keep tubing him until it does. Once that happens he should be able to nurse normally. Did you give him colostrum before the milk? Without that he'll never thrive. __________________ Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why it is called the present.

01-16-2007, 05:22 PM
gingerfleguel Kid Safe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,660	yes we did give him colostum a few times shortly after his birth. Now the vet has told us to try Homo Milk....so were gave it a good tube feeding tonight....He made one attempt to get up...so we helped him stand...he had no desire to walk....he simply falls over when hes too tired. When we helped him walk.....he simply fell over. I did notice that his breathing changes drastically when he is up and moving...its like he has severe asthma...(could that be possible) but he breaths really heavy almost heaving....so we just let him lay down then. I make him stand up while im tube feeding though. Thanks for the support and help guys

01-16-2007, 05:26 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,117	I've had really good luck with uni-milk. I hope he pulls through. Keep us posted. __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

01-16-2007, 06:27 PM
QuarterCowGirl Welcome and Introductions Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario, CANADA Posts: 7,383	I've heard that goat milk can do amazing things for calves, so that might be something to look into. What kind of electrolytes are you feeding him? __________________ I'm a farmer - I'll grow on you.

01-16-2007, 09:11 PM
gingerfleguel Kid Safe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,660	im not quite sure what kind they are however I will look and get back to you. Well I went to tube feed again tonight...and hes taken a turn for the worse.....he just doesnt look nearly as alert as he did this afternoon...his breathing is still the same....his breath is warm...his mouth is warm and there are no signs of dehydration...and no diarrhea. His tongue is starting to dry up (from sticking out) and his nose was dry so I covered him up with a nice woolen blanket...and put vaseline on his nose and tongue. I will honestly be surprised if he makes it the night We have done everything that the vet has told us to do. She told us to get him sucking...but he cant stand on his own...and he does not have the muscle to even grasp a nipple with his mouth...so thats not going to work right now...so we are continuing tube feeding. Is there such thing as having a mentally retarded calf? It sounds silly but by the way he is acting/breathing and unable to function I really wonder?

01-17-2007, 11:04 AM
dimpleflirt Coming two Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,549	Olive oil or some thing similar may be better for the tongue than vasiline.I killed a couple of our breeder mice after lubing their wheel with vasiline.They licked it off ,got really bad diarear (sP) and passed away. We swab seniors in the nursing home with glisern swabs to keep their mouths moist,I think it is sold in the Walmart pharmacy by the bottle . Good luck with the poor thing.

01-17-2007, 08:33 PM
gingerfleguel Kid Safe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,660	Well sad news today. I went to the barn this morning...and the calf was laying in the same spot with his blanket on...and he was dead I respect the fact that he is in no pain now...and we did all that we really could do to save him. Thanks guys for all your help.

01-17-2007, 08:38 PM
CoppysGirl Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 901	So sorry for your loss. I think we can all agree though that he's in a better place - no more pain. You did what you could; be happy knowing that he was well cared for and loved the short time he was on this planet!

01-17-2007, 08:40 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,646	Poor little guy, I'm real sorry to hear that. Prayers and thoughts coming your way __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith.

01-17-2007, 08:43 PM
Pony express Started Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 2,636	I'm so sorry, what a sad ending. __________________ I don't regret the things I've done. I regret the things I didn't do when I had the chance.

01-17-2007, 08:47 PM
TheUpNorthCowgirl Long Yearling Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Upper Michigan Posts: 1,354	Awww I'm sorry to hear about you little calf. __________________ The horse has so docile a nature, that he would rather do right than wrong, if he can only be taught to distinguish one from the other."

01-18-2007, 02:22 AM
farmergal Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 6,062	I'm so sorry that all your efforts ended in vein. (((HUGS))) You did all that you could. It sounded to me like he had a lack of oxygen while in the birth canal. I was told that a dry nose can be a sign of pneumonia. I lost a stuck calf when the mother backed into the wall and pushed the calf back into the birth canal and it suffocated. We were heart broken as it was our first calf. We lost the mother too. __________________ Knowlege is out there, you just need to know where to look.