Calf issues

[Splitpin]

We get most issues here but this one is a new one for me.
Got a couple calves here that are about 6 days old. Been feeding really well and thriving but yesterday wouldn't take any milk and this morning no better. No scour but bit shakey on its legs and ill looking. We bagged it with milk yesterday and lectade this morning.
We had one last week with same symptoms which had pen strep plus metacam and also lectade as a prevention but still it had no scour. We lost that one.
All calves on halocur here, confirmed crypto.

Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[buffalo_soldier]

You happy it's not pneumonia?
Weather is all over the place here, can't be helpful.

 

[Splitpin]

Fairly happy yes but I agree with this weather it would point that way. This last two have been treated for it. cheers

You happy it's not pneumonia?
Weather is all over the place here, can't be helpful.

 

[Clay52]

So what bedding is it on. Are you 100% there is no scour.

Just asking because I've been told calves have no scour when they clearly do. Just can't see it at the time.

Is the calf dehydrated.

 

[jondear]

Sounds like Rotovirus .A neighbour has had calves not taking milk at 5-6 days .Vets have pin it down to that . Now vaccinating cows before birth

 

[Sparkymark]

If its 5-6 days they are picking bugs up early, perhaps while on colostrum. Is your dump bucket 100% clean and sterile? Salmonella or rotavirus id guess.

 

[pappuller]

Might be an idea to get them vetted if more than a couple, metacam and forcyl if its a pneumonia job, sometimes better to cover with a top end drug if your not 100% sure imho. Vet is best though

 

[bovine]

Post mortem really, if this one dies.

Pen & Strep is an 'interesting' choice for pneumonia. Was that your idea or did your vet advise it?

First thing I'd be looking at would be colostrum management. Second thing (this winter) would be pneumonia. Beyond that could be anything.

You are dosing the Halocur accurately? Can be toxic if over dosed, and some farmers seem to think if some is good, more will somehow be better.

 

[bovine]

forcyl if its a pneumonia job, sometimes better to cover with a top end drug if your not 100% sure imho.

There really is no need to use this class of antibiotics to treat pneumonia. There are better choices for the calf, without the risks to human health and resistance.

 

[Splitpin]

Bedded on straw, haven't seen any scour just firm and normal.

Not for this group but we have tested recently for rota, not ruling this out but with no scour??

Have treated these two with resflor, the pen strep was on the previous one. Three pumps of halacur and always get the air out of the nozzle before the first pump

The two has become one this evening

Will be talking to the vet in the morning

Thanks for replies

 

[bovine]

Three pumps will do calves over 45kg. Have you weighed/weigh taped any?

For oral administration to calves after feeding.
- Calves 35 kg - 45 kg – Administer 8 mL of Halocur once a day for 7 consecutive days.
- Calves 45 kg - 60 kg – Administer 12 mL of Halocur once a day for 7 consecutive days.
- For lighter or heavier calves administer 2 mL/10 kg.​

 

[Clay52]

Three pumps will do calves over 45kg. Have you weighed/weigh taped any?

For oral administration to calves after feeding.
- Calves 35 kg - 45 kg – Administer 8 mL of Halocur once a day for 7 consecutive days.
- Calves 45 kg - 60 kg – Administer 12 mL of Halocur once a day for 7 consecutive days.
- For lighter or heavier calves administer 2 mL/10 kg.​

Our calves would be around 45 and above. We only give 2 pumps. Some of that has a bit of air in it at times. It stopped bad crypto in its tracks for us.

No need to overdose. I know a guy who doesn't really feed colostrum. No suprise halcour didn't really help him. He doubled or more the dose. Killed a lot of calves.

 

[bar718]

Three pumps will do calves over 45kg. Have you weighed/weigh taped any?

For oral administration to calves after feeding.
- Calves 35 kg - 45 kg – Administer 8 mL of Halocur once a day for 7 consecutive days.
- Calves 45 kg - 60 kg – Administer 12 mL of Halocur once a day for 7 consecutive days.
- For lighter or heavier calves administer 2 mL/10 kg.​

You say after feeding , how soon after feeding as we struggle with halocur and it's administration with calves going off there feed after the second dose .
Any advice greatly received

 

[bovine]

It shouldn't be given on an empty stomach. Do them after one of their milk feeds, most people do them in the morning.

 

[jimmer]

You say after feeding , how soon after feeding as we struggle with halocur and it's administration with calves going off there feed after the second dose .
Any advice greatly received

we put halocur either in their milk in the wydale , or in the stomach tube bottle if they are off their feed

but to be fair doing everthing for a week from birth has meant no need to use it after

 

[nelly55]

We have had a few very similar,I gave them bagged colostrum as unsure quality on cow.So I know that wasn't the problem,gave them alimicen(sorry about spelling specs not on )and seliumn jab picked up within hours.So now all calves get seliumn jab at 3 days old.

 

[Splitpin]

We have had a few very similar,I gave them bagged colostrum as unsure quality on cow.So I know that wasn't the problem,gave them alimicen(sorry about spelling specs not on )and seliumn jab picked up within hours.So now all calves get seliumn jab at 3 days old.

How did you know it could be/was seliumn deficiency?

 

[nelly55]

How did you know it could be/was seliumn deficiency?

The vet suggested it could be,and speaking to a dairy farmer he said it looked like the problem.No interest in life,not getting up,poor appetite,no temp,no scour,no naval problems.colostumn given in time.Since we have given a jab after two days old which can be repeated a few days later we have not had a problem.Im no vet so can only say it worked for us ,and I know the dairy farmer says it saves his ,providing that is the problem.At the end of the day it's not dear,does no harm ,if it's that problem you should see an improvement.Simple to do so maybe worth a try on this one.

 

[nelly55]

Sorry if you have to bag them try glutamate sorry about spelling,It feeds them as well as been an electrolyte but I only use this if they are scoured.People say don't bag them too much but I have reared calves who have been bagged for many feeds it's gently does it.

 

[Splitpin]

The vet suggested it could be,and speaking to a dairy farmer he said it looked like the problem.No interest in life,not getting up,poor appetite,no temp,no scour,no naval problems.colostumn given in time.Since we have given a jab after two days old which can be repeated a few days later we have not had a problem.Im no vet so can only say it worked for us ,and I know the dairy farmer says it saves his ,providing that is the problem.At the end of the day it's not dear,does no harm ,if it's that problem you should see an improvement.Simple to do so maybe worth a try on this one.

Thanks