Tuesday, August 24, 2010

SCOURS!

One thing you do when there's a new calf around is watch his poop often.  Yesterday Bonnie's baby's stools were loose, but OK.  This morning I noticed the poop was looser.  A while ago I went out and stood around until baby pooped:  it was very watery.  This is very dangerous for a young calf; it can kill them.
I expected it, in a way, because Bonnie gives more milk that any calf was ever intended to ingest, and it's very rich milk.  Sir Loin got by fine last year, but I considered that to be pure luck.  
So, the first thing I had to do was get Baby away from mom, because he needs to be taken off milk while he has scours (that's what they call diarrhea in calves).  I shut him in the stall. 
Then I mixed up a half-gallon of electrolyte solution.  The calf no doubt has a tummy-ache.  I knew he wouldn't suck a bottle, so I tube-fed him the solution.  
I also gave him a pill for scours that I picked up last year before Bonnie had Sir Loin.  "Be prepared" is my motto when it comes to calves.  
I surely do not want to lose any calf, but I especially don't want to lose a calf of Bonnie's. I don't want to think about having to milk her every day.  Last year it wasn't so easy just getting my gallon of milk a couple times a week, and it would really be hard to have to milk her out all the way, daily.  I took a couple of Arthritis Tylenol to be prepared for this evening.  
So, keep me and the calf in your thoughts and prayers.  I need him to have a speedy recovery.  

8 comments:

  1. I'll be praying for you and the calf. I do hope the recovery is a speedy one. Poor little guy probably doesn't understand being taken away from Mom at this very early stage of his life.

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  2. Vicki6:40 PM

    Aw, Donna, I hope and pray that all goes well for you and the little one tonight, know that I'll be thinking and sending good thoughts your way. I wish I could be with you and sit up watching over your beautiful homestead and baby. Take care Vicki

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  3. Do hope that little one comes through this fine and is feeling much better tomorrow. Don't know anything about scours but do know they can dehydrate easily. Will be praying that things improve QUICKLY!

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  4. Like your attitude--Be Prepared. Praying the baby will be fine.

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  5. Sending up prayers that you both will be fine. Helen

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  6. Anonymous12:07 PM

    I was in the middle of eating yogurt for lunch...I, ahem, didn't quite finish ;o.
    This blog is keeping my calories down. Thanks. ~Mary

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  7. Hello Donna,

    I just read your blog and I hope by now the scours problems are over. You did the right thing to get the calf away from her mother to prevent over consumtion. A thing you can do for next year is to add pectins to the electrolytes. Pectins have the benefit of soothing the intestine walls, preventing damage to the papillae. This will speed up the recovery process. If you need to know more about calf scours, you can always contact me.

    Success, Joost.

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  8. i have a calf that is about 2 1/2 months old. we purchased this calf along with 3 more. the other 3 calve died within 2 days but this one has survived so far but has just been sickly. he eats fine (milk replacer) but he isnt gaining weight and just seems lethargic. he moves around and grazes a little and even snacks on calf starter but he just dont seem well. his stool is real loose and brown.

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