newborn calf with a broken leg

Louise1987

Hi. I have a newborn calf born last Saturday the birth was fine the calf got up and sucked the mother . The next morning the calf couldn't get up. The vet was called and the calf has a broken leg as the mother must have stood on it durin the night. The injury is too high up to put a cast on it and the vet suggested to leave her for a week or two to see will she improve on her own if not she may have to be put down. She is making progress as she can get up and stand now and dragging her leg to move around . We do not want to put a healthy calf down and will give her all the opportunity to improve. Has anyone ever had the same situation and what was the outcome? Or offer any advise how to help her improve further ? We will consider getting the leg/hip pinned do you know is there any veterinary hospitals who would do this or specialise in this .

Kovu

It's a hard one to call not seeing the calf but you need to restrict the calf's movement. Having it standing up and dragging the leg is doing it no favours. Can you construct a small area for it with square hay bales so that it cannot do much/any walking, only letting it out to feed? (And let the cow go to him, not the calf walking to mother)
Also is there any way of splinting/supporting the leg, perhaps with a strap style set up going over his shoulders and round the belly? Calf bones should heal quick enough but every time he moves it's likely that he's damaging it further and going back to square one.

Base price

Sorry to hear about your calf. I would listen to the advise of your Vet they are the ones who are qualified to advise what is best for the calf from a health and welfare point.

Base price

Kovu wrote: »

It's a hard one to call not seeing the calf but you need to restrict the calf's movement. Having it standing up and dragging the leg is doing it no favours. Can you construct a small area for it with square hay bales so that it cannot do much/any walking, only letting it out to feed? (And let the cow go to him, not the calf walking to mother)
Also is there any way of splinting/supporting the leg, perhaps with a strap style set up going over his shoulders and round the belly? Calf bones should heal quick enough but every time he moves it's likely that he's damaging it further and going back to square one.

I think it's a hind leg as OP said leg/hip pinned. IMO very little can be done for a break that high up, will stand corrected though.

Kovu

Base price wrote: »

I think it's a hind leg as OP said leg/hip pinned. IMO very little can be done for a break that high up, will stand corrected though.

Ah! I skipped over the hip bit! I don't know how you'd support that. Large dog splint? You could take the calf off the dam and bucket feed it, supporting it in a sling type set up for a week or two to begin a healing process.

CCM

Had one here a few years ago. Made a pen in a garden with four gates and put a few sheet of tin over the most sheltered half of it. Strapped the two hind legs together the advise of a bone setter with a broad belt leaving him able to take 4"-6" steps at atime idea was the good leg would kinda splint the bad one. Gave up getting the cow to come and suckle him and bucket fed him instead. All came good was going round slowly after 3 weeks kept the strap on for about 8 or 9 weeks

greysides

If the break is too high to cast then at least the muscle around it will splint it when it spasms, Those kind of breaks can do quite well provided there isn't other damage too. The space restriction Kovu mentioned is good. Your vet has seen him so follow his advice.

Louise1987

Yes it is a back hind leg and she is in a pen to restrict her also we are milking the mother and bottle feeding her. Thank you all for your input and advice .

Miname

I've one with a dislocated hip at home that the vet wanted to put down as a calf. He'll be sixteen months the start of February and should kill out around 3-320 kilos. I'm not saying vets are wrong but sometimes you have to make up your own mind. Il post a pic tomorrow.

Farrell

The bone setter can give him an injection to help bones knitt, but as mentioned you'll have to bring to slaughter, & slats wouldn't help

Base price

OP how is the calf doing.

kay 9

Phosphorus injection may be no harm either for fear of ligament damage as well. It's rapid quick to work. Hope all ends well

Louise1987

The calf has improved she is able to strongly stand up to suck her her mother . She is not using the leg to walk on it yet but hopefully she is heading in the right direction. She is kept in a pen but allow her to be with her mother for awhile daily also bottle feeding her as well. We will get the vet to review her next week and then decide whatso the next step for her recovery

Miname

Dislocated hip

CloughCasey1

Miname wrote: »

Dislocated hip

What age and will ya finish?

Base price

OP - How is the calf getting on?