Coughing Calf

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Hi, We have a dairy calf that is 4 weeks old. We have had him about a week and noticed tonight that he is coughing and shaking. He is eating well and has no other behavioral changes. Our weather has changed from 50's to 20's. He is in a stall with one other calf. Just concern this could be the start of something. Also there is horses in the barn. Thanks! Mike

-- Mike (DogwoodFarm@yahoo.com), March 21, 2002

Answers

Check his temp, should be 101 +or - a half degree. Is there any mucus coming out his mouth or nose? Is he depressed looking or normal bouncy calf? If he's coughing right after eating the nipple might be too worn, or if he's on a bucket he might be trying to drink too fast. Is his bedding chaffy or long stemmed, he might just be nosing about and getting a throat full. If he's running a temp, and looks a bit down, then he probably needs some antibiotics. The calf should also be seperated from the other animals, if he has a fever too. You have a vet? More for your other animals health a call to the vet can get you some answers and drug choices. PenG likely but we use a lot of Oxytetracycline for respritory problems here. There are more powerful ones than both of those and your vet will know if something like that is more appropriate in your case. I also use amn expectorant to help clear lung congestion too.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), March 22, 2002.

Is he starting to eat hay and grain yet? When baby goats start eating they make a great tado about coughing up their cud. They stretch out their necks, cough like they are hacking up a lung and shake their neck, which also shakes their butt. Any chance this is what you are seeing? I have been to more 4H homes to check on coughing goats to only find them coughing up thier cud. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 22, 2002.

Thanks Folks! He is doing fine. May have been coughing from dust or grain. We did put some extra straw down for warmth. Any advice on dehorning? Should we just have a vet do it?

-- Mike (Dogwood_Farm@yahoo.com), March 23, 2002.

Get the vet out to teach you if you've never done it. Most of my vet calls are either flock health related diseases or to teach me the latest trick. Ok and to reteach my poor old brain a few I've forgotten. We always dehorned stupid. let em get big hack them off with a huge dehorner cauterize the vein. What fun. NOT!

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), March 23, 2002.

Mike,I use a dehorning paste which is really simple to use,Basically you shave the hair around the horn bud (nub) a little and apply a coat of the paste,about the size of a quarter on and around the nub and youre done.the paste comes with detailed instructions but it is really simple to do and sounds like now would be the time to do it while he is young and the buds are small.I have done two calves and believe I have enough to do proably 20 more calves and it only cost around 8 bucks for the bottle of it I believe.Saves a vet call,and there is no bleeding involved.dave

-- Dave (Duckthis1@mybogusemail.com), March 24, 2002.


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