Indications of Illness in Calves
by Jim Fisher
Thursday, April 08, 2010 09:48:17 AM
How can you tell if a calf is sick? There are some signs to tell sick calves from healthy ones.
Will not stand
Will not nurse a bottle or eat
Does not wag it’s tail when nursing
Holds it’s head low to the ground maybe with chin touching the ground when standing or laying
Ears are lowered or drooping- calf makes no effort to hold them up
Weak
Reluctant to move
Body temperatures less than 100 ° F or greater than 102.5 ° F
measured with a rectal thermometer
Eyes are sunk into it’s head
Back is over arched in a hunched position
The above list of the most common signs that indicate a sick calf is just that indications.
If the calf shows one or two of these signs, it should be observed more to tell if a problem is developing.
A sick calf will show three or more of these signs or have one of these indications for longer than 36 hours, than actions should be taken to diagnose and treat aliment.
When a calf will not stand, make the calf stand up or help the calf to its feet, if the calf is too weak or unable to stand call a veterinarian.
If the calf is able to stand on its own and walk around, but is buckling in the rear legs, the calf is showing signs of stress.
Place the calf in a pen by itself, so other calves will not knock it down when trying to play with it, give it electrolytes, continue to check in it every few hours, helping it up when needed, and feed the calf as normal, if the calf is unable to get up on its own by the end of the next day or will not eat call your vet.
My Tip to Tell a Sick Calf
I scratch them in the head as I walk by. The calves’ reactions tell me wither I have a sick calf or not. Most healthy calves have one of two reactions. They will move away from my hand not wanting to be touched, or they will move their head closer even start rubbing their head on me. If the calf is lying down and I rub its head and the calf just lies there like nothing is happening, then I know for sure I have a sick calf. If the calf gets up and goes about its normal routine, then it is fine.
If you have any other questions on sick newborn or bottle calves you to ask them on the message boards.
No membership required.
Message Boards