VERY sick calf

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Rosie the calf (3 month old Jersey) started coughing yesterday. It's a dry cough & she is'nt coughing alot. She does'nt have a fever, runny nose or congestion or anything else I can see. She is refusing grain, grass & hay. When we went out this aftyernoon she would'nt get up. We gave her a shot of antibiotics & when I offered her a bottle she got up for that & drank the whole thing. I would call in the vet but when we called her she said we had to bring the cow in Wed at 2. So for right now we have no help from the vet. Patty has been helping us alot but she tied up right now so I was hoping one of you would be on line right now & could advise us what to do next. thanks in advance.

-- Sherrie holcomb (ester@communtiygate.net), April 11, 2000

Answers

I don't have an answer but I want this to go to the new answers page so more people will see it. Good luck, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), April 11, 2000.

I would run in to the vet this morning and ask if they would give you a shot of Naxcel. Good chance that is what they are going to give it when you take the calf in. Very fast acting antibiotic for respiratory probs.that had saved many calves for us.

They will draw it out for you and you can give the shot, rather than wait.

-- homestead2 (homestead@monroecty.net), April 12, 2000.


The very first thing I would do if I were you would be to get a new vet! I can't imagine a rural large animal vet not coming out as soon as posible to look at your calf. My vet always asks if the cow is down. If so he doesn't wait at all. If its not holding its head up it is in real trouble & you need help now.

-- Okie-Dokie (www.tommycflinstone@aol.com), April 16, 2000.

Baytril is a good antibiotic, but you can only get it from the vet. I highly recommend it. If it was healthy before it got down on you, I wouldn't worry too much about it starving. If it takes fluids that is a good sign. My vet said they are hard to starve to death. I am sorry about your calf, I just love Jerseys.

-- Beth (dwright@river-valley.net), April 16, 2000.

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