Many times a newborn calf can be a victim of any internal injury or lack of oxygen during the delivery process. Shortly after birth, the calf has to adapt itself to the life outside the uterus. The calf may have many problems during this adaptation process. Like :
• Lethargy in normal behaviour
• Temperature drop in the body
• Irregular breathing
• Weakness
• Inactiveness
In unusual circumstances, the calf starts showing signs of sickness after 15-20 minutes of birth and it cannot be avoided if management is not done properly.
So today we are going to share with you, the health problems of the newborn calves and how to diagnose them:
Common health problems found in newborn calves
• Inactiveness or Lethargicness: Standing for a long time and not drinking the milk are some of the signs. Normal activities and agility creates heat in the body and provide immunity to prevent diseases.
• Body Temperature Drop: Calves body temperature is one or two Fahrenheit more than the mother’s womb, which gets 102 degree in 15-20 minutes. If regular fall in body temperature is noticed then it is a situation to worry about.
• Oxygen Deficiency in Blood: This problem occurs due to improper functioning of respiratory system. This problem also gives rise to many other problems also.
• Acidic Blood: Due to lack of oxygen in the blood during the birth, blood becomes slightly acidic. As the calf starts breathing, this problem get resolved, but if the calf is facing problem while breathing then this situation can become severe with the time.
• Glucose deficiency in the blood: This problem is very common in calves, but after proper consumption of colostrum this problem doesn’t arise again.
• Less consumption of colostrum: Colostrum or the first milk of the cattle after pregnancy gives strength to the calves to fight diseases. Less consumption or any delay in the consumption of colostrum can affect the immunity system of the calves.
Management to protect the calf from diseases
• Care of the child is very important, immediately after birth. So, keep following points in mind for better protection.
• Keep the birth place of the calf dry, clean and comfortable. Protect the calf from extreme heat and cool conditions in a clean place.
• The risk of infection in the calf is very high, immediately after birth; therefore, protect the calf from exposure to contaminated substances. Be sure to feed the calf with milk in 1-2 hours of the birth. Don’t wait for the placenta to come out. Because the colostrum fed to the calf in 1-2 hours of the birth enhances the immune system of the child. The calf should be fed 10 percent of its weight.
• Immediately after birth, clean nose-mouth of the calf properly so that the child can breathe.
• Generally, the cow starts licking the calf with the tongue after giving birth to the calf. This helps in drying the calf’s body, and the child’s body temperature does not fall, which results into clean skin and smooth respiratory and blood circulation.
• If the cow does not lick its calf, then wipe the calf’s body with a dry cloth. Provide artificial respiration by pressing the chest by hand and leaving it. If still there is trouble in breathing, then rub the chest and hang the calf upside down by holding its back legs.
• Three four knuckles down (2-5 cm) the naval body tie two thread closely on the body cautiously. After that apply tincture iodine or boric acid or any antibiotic on it.
• After the delivery remove the wet bedding and replace it with clean and dry bedding.
• Keep the details of the weight of calf.
• Clean the cow’s teats and udder with chlorine solution and dry it properly.
So today you get to know about the problems and care of the newborn calf. Similarly, if you want more information related to animals, then please like Apni Kheti’s Facebook page and keep yourself updated with the latest information.
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