Premature calf

[domsmith]

I have just been looking back at post from Minnie with her prem calf but thought i would ask for advice generally from the great and the good.

we have lost a cow this morning and out of desperation decided to have a go at removing th claf as a salvage job. We got it out live and kicking and he is looking maybe a week or so early so not too bad.
Obviously colostrum, but beyond that how does anyone look after them. we had a tiny calf last year and she is still with us, it was constipation that was the problem with her not scours, so i am looking for that.

how often to feed, whats the best milk to use, where should i keep her?

too many questions

thanks anyway

dom

[Saffy]

Dom,

Well done!!!

Do you have a milking herd nearby that would let you have colostrum for a few days and then maybe some waste milk for a few more days, it isn't allowed in the tank until there is no trace of colostrum in it, I would think it would be a better start than straight onto powdered milk but I have only reared dairy never a dexter. There is a small chance of bringing something in but the calf will get plenty of colostrum and will not get constipated, I would feed 2 pints 4 times a day if it will take it but as I say I haven't reared a dexter. If you do get it make sure there is no antibiotics in it.

Good luck!

Stephanie

P.S.I think I would put it under a lamp if I had one.

[domsmith]

I have my own colostrum, from our house cow, i freeze some every year just in case. but we have no dairy herds near at all (terrible that isnt it) should i judt buy in fresh supermarket milk for a few days then switch to a powder?

He only drink 50 -100ml at once so i am feeding every 2 hours little and often

dominic

[Saffy]

Hello Dom,

I only have the experience of rearing the dairy replacements, we reared about 120 a year and kept them on cows milk for a week and then put them on powdered. There was always stacks of waste colostrum and part colostrum to feed them. If I had a very small calf I would bottle it as and when until it took the right amount and keep it under a lamp until it was a decent size. Shame there are no local dairy herds as I thought a little colostrum in the milk would probably prevent any constipation.

I'm not sure what pasteurized milk is like for calves, hopefully Duncan will know this! Maybe it will be best straight onto powder so there aren't too many changes?

Sounds like you will be burning some midnight oil for a day or so but well worth it!

Stephanie

[Broomcroft]

Ask on BFF?

[domsmith]

My wee calf has been a bit of a nightmare. he sucked the first day but now has to be tubed. The milk seems to be just sitting in his gut and not moving through so i can only give a 150mls at 1 go. last night he was really bloated and it seemd to put pressure on his lungs and he kept stopping breathing.

another trip to the vet this morning and another array of jags, breathing better but still cant take the milk. used effedral all morning and small amounts of milk this afternoon, but i am worried he will run out of steam soon if i cant get good feeds into him. he is full of life and walking around the house this afternoon.

dont know what to do!

dom

[Saffy]

Hello Dom,

Sorry to hear about the problems with the calf. I don't have any bright ideas really, if it was mine I would keep it on colostrum for at least the first four or five days as it seems to help the stomach to work but maybe you don't have that much in the freezer. Then rather than supermarket milk I think I would put it straight onto powdered milk. Apart from that I wouldn't know what to do - but I'm no expert as I've never hand reared a dexter!

Stephanie

[Mark Bowles]

If he is full of life and walking around then that has to be good surly. As Saffy says colostrum intake is the important thing then maybe good quality powdered milk. There can't be a lot more you can do. Sorry i can't be more helpfull

[domsmith]

He unfortunately didnt survive, which is a great shame.

i must have reared hundreds of calves over the last 8 years and lost plenty, but i have never got so upset in losing one.

thinks can only get better

dominic

[Saffy]

Hello Dom,

So sorry to hear your news, after you worked SO hard for the little thing as well! BUT you CAN only do your best! It doesn't make it any better I know - but we all loose them from time to time and you did try your best.

Stephanie