SUCK

Silver 1234

I have a big charolais calf about 6 weeks old he has been sick and is now weaned from cow as she hadnt enough to keep him going. I'm giving him maverick about a litre at a time 4 /5 times a day. He just wont suck anything. What can i do? All help appreciated.

Genghis Cant

Silver 1234 wrote: »

I have a big charolais calf about 6 weeks old he has been sick and is now weaned from cow as she hadnt enough to keep him going. I'm giving him maverick about a litre at a time 4 /5 times a day. He just wont suck anything. What can i do? All help appreciated.

How are ya giving him the powdered milk? Will he drink it from a bucket?

I dealer I knew used to swear by yeast made up in a baby powers bottle (empty bottle!) he said it was powerful stuff to get a calf to suck. At this stage I assume you're goin to rear him on the bucket?

Silver 1234

He wont drink from a bucket or suck from a teat. He got the last of injections today that the vet left. He wont suck the finger . Is there anything i can give him . Yes I am going to rear him on the bucket

Silver 1234

He wont even suck the finger.

Genghis Cant

How'd ya get him to 6 weeks? Tubing him?

Silver 1234

He was on the cow. She had two teats. She was getting meal but the milk quantity went to very little.

Genghis Cant

I assume he's eating a shake of ration at this stage?

Silver 1234

He is eating crunch and hay. He likes the straw too. What would you suggest I give him?

bbam

Have you asked the vet for a shot to make him suck. Can't remember what it is but within 15 minutes they would have your fingers off.

Was he sucking the cow freely before weaning?? Or what way was he.
Had you given the cow meal to bring on milk??

Silver 1234

The night he was weaned he would slightly suck the finger. He had a scour which is now gone. The cow got meal daily. Her milk production dropped big time. Can you get something for a calf that age to make him suck?

bbam

I have a notion it was either VitE or Selenium the vet gave here.

Silver 1234

I must get that for him tomorrow . Thanks.

Silver 1234

Any suggestions on trying to get a different calf to drink maverick. This lad will suck the finger anything else in his mouth is a big no no

Genghis Cant

bbam wrote: »

I have a notion it was either VitE or Selenium the vet gave here.

It is indeed VitE and Se. There's also a stimulunt you can give but I can't for the life of me think of the name. The Vet will know straight off!
Let us know how ya get on!

Genghis Cant

Silver 1234 wrote: »

Any suggestions on trying to get a different calf to drink maverick. This lad will suck the finger anything else in his mouth is a big no no

Tryb him with milk when he's hungry and if it works gradually introduce powder to the mix.

Silver 1234

I'll update you tomorrow. Thanks for all the help.

Blue Holland

Would he suck the cow if he got the chance, not saying ya should let him if she has'nt been sucked for a week but might tell ya if there's something wrong or he's just stubborn. Also if he's getting a litre 4 or 5 times a day he's probably never that hungry.

Silver 1234

He sucked it the night after he was weaned and decided then never again. He wasnt after gettting getting it that day. He refused the next morning. He is stubborn as they come.

Blue Holland

Is his dung anyway caked or white, stomach might not be in best of shape after scour.

Silver 1234

Different calf perfectly healthy

Blue Holland

Sorry i was referring to the calf that vet was it.

Silver 1234

His scour is gone but i couldnt see his dung in straw

Silver 1234

What could I give him for his stomach

Silver 1234

More than likely he is not fully right with the stomach .

Genghis Cant

Silver 1234 wrote: »

What could I give him for his stomach

Stimulux and natural yoghurt.

Silver 1234

I gave him a tablespoon stimulux in the milk this morning . The yogurt is a good idea. I'll give him one tomorrow. Would you give him much of it

Blue Holland

I'd give one or the other to any calf that had a scour or got antibiotics. Usually give bout quarter of the half litre tubs yogurt twice day.

Silver 1234

Would you substitute that for some of the milk

Sheep breeder

Is the calf putting his Tongue out of the side of his mouth when he tries to suck the cow or when he sucks your does he do it 3 or 4 times and stop.
We bought in a cow and when she calved He would suck nothing for 3days until a friend told us what was wrong selenium and vit b 12 when injected 12hours later was like a new calf and never looked back.
If the calves stomach is not good natural yogurt is a great man.

Silver 1234

Calf is after being weaned . He is not putting it out at the side of his mouth. The healthy one is putting it out at side of mouth

Blue Holland

I'd normally mix it with the milk and still feed normal amount, to be honest the stimulux is good too but he'd want the tablespoon twice a day.

Silver 1234

I'll do that then tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

biddy2013

didnt read all the replies, had a mo calf before christmas that wouldnt suck, tried glucose, honey-this worked until the honey was gone and he would stop sucking- got an appetite stimulant from the vet it was 1cc afair, he slowly started to suck, it was a very slow process. Had been stomach tubing him to make sure he had enough

spik r

Try mixing few spoons of brown suger with water to make a sticky syrup give him few spoons then dip teat in it he should suck like mad. Always use it with lazy newborn works every time

bbam

I say you can't see his dung in the straw.
Make sure he's not bound up now!!

Silver 1234

Just to update the calf story. I've seen his dung and he is A1 in that department. He is still not great in the sucking department. He is eating hay and picking at meal. I've given him some electrolytes and glucose with the maverick. He perks up after that. He is weak though. Any ideas on what I could give him for strength. Thanks.

bbam

Silver 1234 wrote: »

Just to update the calf story. I've seen his dung and he is A1 in that department. He is still not great in the sucking department. He is eating hay and picking at meal. I've given him some electrolytes and glucose with the maverick. He perks up after that. He is weak though. Any ideas on what I could give him for strength. Thanks.

What did the VET say...??
At this stage you should at least have had a chat with the vet..

Silver 1234

Vet has been out. He still needs to strengthen up. What would help?

Silver 1234

bbam wrote: »

What did the VET say...??
At this stage you should at least have had a chat with the vet..

Any ideas for strengthening him?

Brown Podzol

Raw eggs and glucose.

kay 9

Have the same trouble with a calf the last few days. Buckin nuisance it is. Putting the cow in and out of crush to get him to suck. Half the time he won't suck. Might try the Selenium and vits. Alot to be said for Angus I guess.

bbam

Eggs are good to strengthen him ok.
I'd be adding two to each feed.

Be careful adding glucose or much sugar to feeds. It hydroscopically draws water from the gut walls into the bowel and can cause a scour. A little would be ok, but not too much.

You'll struggle to build him up if he's not sucking freely.

hugo29

there is also a mineral tube you can get from the VET to help him, just give it to him down the throat

like BBAM said i would be worried about calf if he not sucking, did you ask the VET to see if he has a throat infection or mouth ulcers, the VET must have given some opinion,

have ya tried stomach tubing him