new calf - weak & can't stand **EDITED TO ADD PICTURES**

[MaineHighlands]

Our highland heifer just calved this morning. She walked away, never licked the calf, etc...
We got the calf breathing, and rubbed her with towels.
We brought them both the barn and tried to get the calf to nurse. She got a few good sucks, but we had to hold her up as she cannot stand yet!
I milked out as much as I could (which wasn't much) and fed it to the calf and also some powdered colostrum.
The mother has zero interest in her baby. We were told to put the baby in front of the cow that calved yesterday, but since she cannot stand, I am not sure what good that will do?
Any suggestions?

 

[elevan]

I would probably start with a shot of Bo-Se.

 

[MaineHighlands]

Calf is able to stand and walk (though wobbly). We put the mom in a head catch and tied her leg to let the baby nurse again, once we released the mom, she pinned the baby against the wall of the stall with her horns like she wanted to gore the baby. We again separated them. We are going to try to give the calf as much of the colostrum tonight as we can, keep the mama and baby in separate stalls, but next to each other, and try to get her to nurse again in the morning. I REALLY want to have the heifer raise the calf and not have her be a bottle baby. How long will it take to get the maternal feeling or will she ever get it?

 

[Cricket]

Glad the calf is perking up. Has the mama cow cleaned yet? Sometimes they'll settle once that's done. I had a Hereford heifer who did the same thing 2 years in a row and we butchered her. I would continue to milk her out just so that she doesn't dry off if she decides to accept her calf and think it's a good idea to keep them separate.

There's a similar thread on here somewhere--I'll see if I can find it.

 

[MaineHighlands]

Thanks,
We got another cup of colostrum in her, she is exhausted, we are exhausted. I just hope for the best tomorrow...

 

[aileenB]

I think you just have to take care of it since it was a kid and a newborn.

 

[Royd Wood]

Sorry I missed this post - best to duplicate in cattle section
Whats the latest news Maine - heifers can do that sort of thing and walk off - unusual for Highland though.
Try to stick with mums milk if you have to bottle feed for the first week. Hope you have some good news for us

 

[MaineHighlands]

Here is the update on our little calf...
The vet came out on Wednesday - at about 30 hours old - She said that she was presenting as not having enough colostrum and not enough nourishment in general. She gave a shot of antibodies, a shot of antibiotic (just in case) and tube fed her about one cup. The mom tried to kill the calf the last time we had them together - pinned her against the stall wall and tried to put a horn through her - so we sent her out. We tried to get her to into a stall next to the calf - but she forced her way out of the head catch and squeezed through the opening - splintering the wood and went out into the pasture.
We were able to get a little more milk (replacer) in the calf on Wednesday evening. It has been so hot here - 95 deg. + that the calf was really not sucking well and still so weak... so we moved her to a cooler location and this morning she was downright perky! She sucked her bottle completely and was looking for more, she followed us around while doing chores for a while until she got tired, then she napped in her pen. She weighs about 35 lbs and is tiny thing... the vet said she should have about 2 liters per day so we are feeding 2 cups 4x per day and will gradually work up to more per feeding and less feedings until she is eating 2x per day. I would rather leave her wanting a little than to overfeed her at this point.

I will try to get a picture of her and post, but I think that the emergency is over.

Thanks,
Jill

 

[Royd Wood]

35lb - wow you suprise me perhaps your just guessing as I would have thought 60 to 70 for Highland calves just like Galloway ???????? but never had Highland ???????
crossed for you and calf

 

[MaineHighlands]

Thanks for the well wishes...

Yes she weighs about 35 lbs. I can lift her easily- I may bring a scale out to weigh her today to know for sure, but she weighs a LOT less than a grain bag!
When I can figure out how to add a picture I will post one!