Calf with bad leg. Advice?

M Nut · Mar 20, 2010

Had a 1st calf heifer that had a monster Angus bull calf in the middle of the night. Long story short, when I was pulling with the mechanical calf puller, one leg chain broke and when it did, it put all the pulling pressure on the other leg of the calf and broke/dislocated the leg at the "wrist" joint. I heard the bone pop when the chain broke on the other side.
I ended up saving both the heifer and the calf, but am not sure what the best thing to do for the calf is. I put three paint sticks around the bad joint and wrapped it tight with duct tape. This morning, with my help, I got the calf standing and he nursed from the mother pretty good. He can stand ok if I stand him up.
I don't really want to pay a high vet bill, and the closest one is 50 miles from me, but if there is something that they can do for it that I can't, then I'm willing to do that. Just thought I'd check for opinions here first.
Thanks

Buckeye · Mar 20, 2010

Not a good situation. Had one like that when I was a kid and we did the same thing as you are doing. In the end, we took it to the vet to have the foot removed. I think it finally died due to infection. Near impossible to keep it clean and most of the time the bone that is broke is sharp and will puncture the skin. Hope someone can post some better information.

olgentdc · Mar 20, 2010

You are doing the right thing , mightr heal quickly since its a new born , Infection, Filth will be your worst enemy . Watch for swelling and take action to medicate .. Keep LA 200and penecillan handy , , Give SMALL doses ,, Hope others will CHIME in with what they think is best,, BEST WISHES ...

Ken-Pa · Mar 20, 2010

If you made a splint on the joint , you can't hardly expect a newborn to stand up with it . You say you don't wanta pay a vet , apparantly the calf doesn't mean much to you . If something like this happened to a human , would you spend money to ensure a fair life to them .Man , if you wanna raise calves , endure the expense of mishaps & get proffesional medical help .You caused the calfs injury so get it fixed correctly .I'm just telling it as if I would've done it . Now go get that vet before further complications set in with the poor baby . Post back vets analisys & good luck . God bless

JR.Fyre · Mar 20, 2010

I would like to say that if the bone if broke and it sounds like it is, as you said,you have one of 2 choise's, try and do the best you can or have a real high vet bill. But as far as the duct tap goes that will be a problem trying to take it off when it comes time.I might try and use a pice of pvc pipe, split it and put it on the joit and tape it with duct tape,But itis up to you,OK. Well GOOD LUCK and sorry to hear about your calf.JR.FRYE

M Nut · Mar 20, 2010

Ken, I'll take your comment with the good intentions I believe you meant it to be, but I have to say you did raise my blood pressure when I read your post. I was simply asking for advice, which you gave in the form of saying call a vet. I plan to when their office opens at 8:30 this morning.
Now, if you knew me at all, you would know I am the kind of farmer who bends over backwards for his cows. I check my cows every 2-3 hours, 24 hours a day during calving season. I am so tired some days I can't think. I have never, ever had a calf this big, so this is new problems for me. I went with an Angus bull last year, as that is the "rage" with cattle buyers now. Needless to say, I hate the bull for the size calves he throws and he won't be used again this year.
Advice is appreciated, being critical of my efforts are not. I'm doing the best I can, and by the way, this is not a new venture. I've been doing this for over 30 years, and this is a first. I'm not happy about it, but my tract record is pretty good.

randallk · Mar 20, 2010

Unnless you have an open wound at that joint, I'd say you are doing the right thing. Baby calves heal quickly from injuries such as these. I"ve had calves with the almost same situation. Most of them have healed well enough to get around. He may walk with a limp, but that too seems to diminish somewhat. The babies learn to adapt quickly. I'm pretty sure he'll make it, unless infection sets in (which can be treated with LA200). At worst, he'll end up as a fine butcher calf.
You're doing the right thing. Mishaps such as these just seem to happen at calving time. An ace wraparound bandage is a good tool to use for this. Keep the calf in a clean area if possible for a couple weeks.

M Nut · Mar 20, 2010

Thanks for the advice guys. No vets on duty on Saturday's, but office gal is going to try contact one of the Dr.s at home and have one call me and we'll go from there.

Big M · Mar 20, 2010

I have used PVC pipe before on a leg brake. Estimate the diameter of the leg. Cut some thin walled PVC the length you think will support the broken leg area. Split it the long way into two pieces and put in place using duct tape. One a side note, do you use OB chains passed the first joint and then also throw on a half hitch as well? Good luck to you on the rest of the caving season, we are 80% done and some snow last night. Have checked the herd as good herdsman do, and have found no new ones this morning.

GeneMO · Mar 20, 2010

Ken, I also know you mean well, but he is running a business not an animal shelter.

Most people will spend more on an animal than it is worth trying to do what is right, but their comes a point when you gotta cut your losses, and remember he said the vet is 50 miles away.

Keeping the joint dry, clean and immobilized is the challenge as others have pointed out. Infection will be the big problem. If you have to re-do it anytime soon, you might try shaving the hair off, rinsing it in betadine and then wrapping it in some gauze with the elastic vet wrap over that, then apply the splints.

It's gonna be tough getting a calf to hold still for all that.

Good luck,

Gene

GeneMO · Mar 20, 2010

Ken, I also know you mean well, but he is running a business not an animal shelter.

Most people will spend more on an animal than it is worth trying to do what is right, but their comes a point when you gotta cut your losses, and remember he said the vet is 50 miles away.

Keeping the joint dry, clean and immobilized is the challenge as others have pointed out. Infection will be the big problem. If you have to re-do it anytime soon, you might try shaving the hair off, rinsing it in betadine and then wrapping it in some gauze with the elastic vet wrap over that, then apply the splints.

It's gonna be tough getting a calf to hold still for all that.

Good luck,

Gene

Leyland-270 · Mar 20, 2010

I worked with a vet for several calving seasons pulling calves ect. You will find the vet can do little more than you have done. I would suggest you use a splint made of lumber 1x2's work best. Round all edges to prevent sores. Using duct tape can be bad if used next to the hide. Wrap splint with cloth then tape. Confine pair to a smaller pen as the little guys can be very spunky even with a broken leg.

All of this said, make sure it is a break and not a dislocated joint. Joints can often be repositioned but must be don with in a day or two. The vet would likely be needed to help you. I know of no pain killers for cattle and the little buggers are tougher than some folks think. This is not your fault, you did a good thing by saving the lives of both animals, seems some may have forgotten that. Keep your blood pressure in check. Good luck to you, happy calving.

Leyland-270 · Mar 20, 2010

By the way clean and dry is a must.

Bill in IL · Mar 20, 2010

Go get a roll of vet-wrap bandage. It will breath better than duct tape and it sticks to itself. Really good stuff. I made a splint using black plastic water pipe and vetwrap.

I nursed a calf with bad front feet that he couldn't stand on. You will have to keep him standing during the day or else his other legs will go bad.

Infection may be a serious problem but what do you have to loose other than time.

Dave from MN · Mar 20, 2010

Hope all goes well. I felt for you when you told me you were having some big headed calves from that bull, chances are all his calves will be like that. Hopefully the ones from my bull will be better, I am just hoping you start seeing more from him. As far as your ethics go I know personally, and cansay I dont know any one more dedicated to your anim als than you and you family. Take care.

M Nut · Mar 20, 2010

Thanks Dave,

Still waiting for the vet to return my call. I too, hope your bull is the father to the remaining calves. Just really frustrated with farming this morning. I appreciate your confidence in what we do. We're not perfect, but we sure do try!

rrlund · Mar 20, 2010

The vet could fix it. I had the same thing happen a couple of years ago. I tried splinting it myself and wrapping it with an ace bandage. After a few weeks it started to swell and break open and got infected. I took it off and just let him go. He managed to keep up. He'd stand with it straight. It was kinda like he was leaning on the broken piece. We weaned him and left him right in the feedlot with the rest. Got him up to weight and slaughtered him for our own use last October. He's delicious.

Ken-Pa · Mar 20, 2010

I am truely sorry for coming off the wrong way . Sometimes I don't use the correct wording at times like this . That's why I ended with a Good Luck , God blesss, & let us know how it does (I think) . I'm under alot of pain medication myself so please over look an insulting wording .I do wish you the best & I sense your caring spirit for your calf & momma .Please let me know how it does & what the vet says . I'm really concerned . May you have a joyous time with the newborn (I know I would). God bless, Ken

JMS/.MN · Mar 20, 2010

Regarding the vet call- a calf is small enough that you could transport it to him with most any vehicle, rather than shoulder the expense of him coming out. Makes his services more affordable. Down here, we are fortunate to have a vet 4 miles away, but when they charge by the minute, the transport is valuable. Good luck with it- BTW, one from here (Haraldson) moved to Park Rapids a couple decades ago- is he anywhere near you?

Anonymous-0 · Mar 20, 2010

(quoted from post at 10:08:21 03/20/10) Regarding the vet call- a calf is small enough that you could transport it to him with most any vehicle,

Exactly... Sometimes vets are overrated though. If you can keep him quiet long enough to feel things and see if it is a clean break/dislocation and not shattered, put a cast (splint) on it, tetanus shot and watch for swelling/fever (keep antibiotic handy) and let him use it. Keep him clean and dry and give him room to move. Fresh air and sunshine works good also, maybe some extra vitamin/minerals for joint growth. Don't sell homeopathic/alternative methods short either.

Good Luck.

Dave

Anonymous-0 · Mar 20, 2010

Wasn't a break, but we had a foal born 3 years ago from a mare that we bought 3 months or so before birth. Mare wasn't kept/fed real well until we got her. Anyway, this little girl's back legs were so screwed up that the knees were touching and it looked like an X when you stood behind her. Figured we'd end up putting her down but she was in no pain and got around OK. She was born on the pasture in May so it was warm and sunny. She started improving with the open room, exercise, and sun and at 3 months you didn't know there had been a problem. One of the best looking horses we have now. You're not gonna ride this calf when it grows up, I think he'll be fine........

Good Luck,

Dave

Calf with bad leg. Advice?

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