Bloated Heifer weanling

[NH8360]

Have a 6 month old Heifer calf still on the cow and access to creep feeder from before Christmas. Swelled up this evening and hardly able to stand. Got vet out, he put tube down throat but no gas just a gorge of meal. He give it some drugs and suggested baking soda which I have done. Has anybody any other ideas/suggestions of things I could do to try and save it?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Red Devil

 

[NH8360]

Red Devil

Is that an energy drink north east farmer ? If so how much would you recommend?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Is that an energy drink north east farmer ? If so how much would you recommend?

I’m guessing it’s bloated?

 

[NH8360]

I’m guessing it’s bloated?


View attachment 649152

Thanks Northeastfarmer but it's more constipation with the gorge of meal

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Thanks Northeastfarmer but it's more constipation with the gorge of meal

Have you tried giving it some oil?

 

[NH8360]

Would try anything at this stage. Cod liver oil? Cooking oil?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Would try anything at this stage. Cod liver oil? Cooking oil?

Caster oil

 

[JMTHORNLEY]

Paraffin oil will also work if you can get it. Will need to warm it a little to get it in her.

Give her some rumen stimulant to get things going again, it will help

 

[JMTHORNLEY]

I might add, I had exact same thing a month or so ago and it turned out to be tetanus.. make sure you get her dosed up with penicillin

 

[Rebecca]

I agree on oil stomach tube maybe if you can’t get her drinking. My cousin had two bullocks get out and eat no end of straight barley one time, they were basically written off - they were barely even conscious, had to be lifted etc, but one old school vet mixed up a healthy cows poo and water and stomach tubed it into them...apparently introducing the bacteria back in helped the rumen start going again and they both got better after a few days! I’ve personally never tried that I dunno if it’s frowned upon generally but I guess if a beast is going to die it’s worth trying.

 

[Alicecow]

I'd rather use liquid paraffin than castor oil, that's what they make ricin from! Too much is very bad for them. Don't think you can overdose as such with paraffin.
Could also try black treacle. Mix a bit of warm water into it so it's more liquid then drench them.