Suckler calf is totally off form

dougalbear

Could anyone offer advice on the black seen around its rear end as seen in the photo attached.

Miname

Get the vet. I'm not one but I don't think penicillin is the cure.

Kovu

Very hangdog look about his head there alright. Get him in and take his temperature imo. I don't like when a calf is passing anything that looks abnormal, could have eaten something he shouldn't have.

Just watch him for a while in the field first, see if he's kicking at his belly or straining.

dougalbear

Kovu wrote: »

Very hangdog look about his head there alright. Get him in and take his temperature imo. I don't like when a calf is passing anything that looks abnormal, could have eaten something he shouldn't have.

Just watch him for a while in the field first, see if he's kicking at his belly or straining.

He's normally a fiesty guy that would put his tail on his back and scatter if you went near him.

Kovu

dougalbear wrote: »

He's normally a fiesty guy that would put his tail on his back and scatter if you went near him but today I could walk straight up to him and inject into the muscle without a move out of him. I observed him for awhile around his mother, he started to nibble at the dirt that is still clumped to her hind leg from wintering indoors. I was wondering if he was indicating some type of deficiency or something. I haven't seen what he is passing but just the blackness around the rear had me thinking could it be a bleeding ulcer. I appreciate both posters replies and thank you for taking the time to do so.

Sounds more like listlessness than deficiency. For a start it wouldn't come on him that fast and he wouldn't have that dull look on him overnight either. Did you get a feel of his ears or nose? If nose is dry & ears cold I'd be bringing him in straight away, a bit of hassle moving them that could take maybe half an hour is far better than a dead calf.

Never wrestle with pigs

I bet his temp is up. Had a heifer like this before couldn't quite put the finger on what it was. Vet gave a few shots to bring down temp and others and came right after a few days. Is it druling or waving it's head?

greysides

Vet.