Injured calf

[lithuanian farmer]

This year had many new experiences (mostly bad). Now were almost sure that will have some rest as have finished with calving for some time, but... Had one cow in the pen with her January born bull calf. He had frost bitten hooves, but now has almost fully recovered. However his dam has injured him. Haven't seen how, but found him sitting just like in photo. His dam was running in the pen before. He can't stand up or stand without help. He keeps his both legs to the front. He can walk if you hold him from the rear. Now he gets pain killers and lifting him a couple times per day to stand for some time until gets tired.


Has anybody had similar experience? We consulted with a few vets and they said that it will take alot of time, like months, if he'll recover. We gonna try. Have weaned him from his dam and brought him home that could lift him more often and keep him up for longer.

[Workinonit Farm]

Broken pelvis???? What did the vets think was wrong?

[wbvs58]

It looks like a spinal injury with that stiff (spastic) paralysis look in his HQ. May be temporary bruising but you would have to think some displacement of vertebral column to cause it. Just hope it has gone back in place and stays there.

Ken

[gizmom]

We had one get stepped on this year, it didn't turn out well. I sure hate hearing your having such bad luck.

Gizmom

[boondocks]

Poor feller. Keep us posted?

[lithuanian farmer]

Some said that it could be broken/fractured pelvis, some that nerve from spinal injury. None of vets have looked at the calf personally. Still gonna try to bring him back on his feet. He is a very promising calf with lots of potential, the 1st calf born this year.

[Supa Dexta]

Had a cow similar last year. Eventually could stand after hoisting her for a month, but never recovered. Her rear end would sway in the wind, and she'd fall over. As soon as I got a bit of weight back on her, she went for burger. My best guess on her was spinal - it was breeding season, and there was a ledge on the property she may have got pushed off of.

[lithuanian farmer]

Well, we gonna try. Maybe we'll succeed. Not sure what exactly has been damaged.
Yesterday when lifted him, he stood for some time fully holding his weight. Today not really in the mood.

[Farm Fence Solutions]

We've been down this road. A canvas tarp, or heavy blanket will make a much more suitable sling to help distribute his weight. Looks like a fair bit of pressure on his guts like that. Good luck!

[LDEnterprises]

Does he appear to be having any trouble seeing?

[LDEnterprises]

We've been down this road. A canvas tarp, or heavy blanket will make a much more suitable sling to help distribute his weight. Looks like a fair bit of pressure on his guts like that. Good luck!

X2

We used a net on the last one we did this to and it actually worked better than belts or ropes to distribute the pressure points.

[lithuanian farmer]

Does he appear to be having any trouble seeing?

No. He's perfectly fine except for the rear legs.

[LDEnterprises]

Does he appear to be having any trouble seeing?

No. He's perfectly fine except for the rear legs.

Gotcha.

[lithuanian farmer]

We lift him and always put his rear legs that he would hold his all weight and there would be almost no pressure for the gut.
It's the first happening for us, so still learning. Gonna search for a net or something like that, that could leave him to stand for longer and he could move his legs more freely.

[milkmaid]

Spinal injury. The position with back legs extended forward while laying down or standing (you can see it in all of the pictures) is classic. I give them 3 days to improve and then euthanize.