Caring for calves: rules at home and possible diseases

Providing proper care for newborn calves is an important stage in the formation of a herd, increasing the productivity of livestock farming. Growing he althy young animals is facilitated by several factors: a complete diet, proper care, keeping animals clean and safe. In order to prevent diseases, it is required to vaccinate calves in a timely manner.

Birth of a calf

Caring for a newborn begins from the first minutes of life. It is important for the baby to clear the nostrils, mouth and ears of mucus. After the body is rubbed with burlap, the cow is allowed to lick the newborn. The umbilical cord at a distance of 11-13 cm from the peritoneum is cut with disinfected scissors, if it has not broken naturally. Iodine or a solution of potassium permanganate should be treated with a cut of the umbilical cord. As a rule, the calf gets up on its own in 40-50 minutes after birth.

Calf care in the first months of life

It is important to keep newborns in dry rooms, changing bedding regularly. A proper diet is of great importance for the full development of the animal. In the first days of a newborn's life, they drink colostrum rich in vitamins and microelements. Teat drinkers are used for feeding.

Monthly calves are fed 3-4 times a day, and animals should be gradually accustomed to feeding from a bucket.

Milk is being replaced in the diet with highly nutritious whole milk substitutes. After 4-4.5 weeks, hay is introduced into the diet of calves. In the summer, kids learn to graze the grass along with the cows.

He althcare

In addition to the right diet, you need to monitor the well-being of newborn calves. Don't miss the signs of infection. There are several common diseases of young animals.

Dyspepsia

The disease is acute and manifests itself in the form of an intestinal disorder that causes dehydration. Causes of occurrence: violation of feeding technology, poor maintenance. The disease can occur in calves in the first week of life. It is not necessary to isolate the animal, you need to change the bedding regularly, you can heat it with special lamps.

Features of treatment: drinking colostrum is stopped for 12 hours, calves are given every 4 hours 0.5 liters of 1% saline solution, in the morning and evening they drink a glass of flaxseed decoction.

Constipation

Lack of bowel movements during the day, bloated stomach - the characteristic signs of constipation.Animals lose their appetite, become depressed or nervous. A serving of vegetable oils or castor oil with a volume of 140-150 ml will help cleanse the stomach and intestines. You just need to make sure that after drinking the oil the animal does not subside.

"Synthomycin", "Ftalazol", "Levomycetin" are used as a drug treatment. Medicines are given before feeding, three times a day.

Dysplasia

Hip disease is congenital and can be inherited. The cause of the disease is intrauterine pathology of the fetus. Distinct clinical signs in young animals appear in the first year of life. Mild cases are characterized by lameness in the hind legs, weakness of the limbs.

In severe cases, the newborn hardly gets up, in the process of movement there is an increasing lameness, a tense or constrained gait. An accurate diagnosis can be made after an x-ray.

Peritonitis

As a rule, inflammation of the peritoneum develops against the background of other diseases of the abdominal or pelvic cavities. Common phenomena - postoperative peritonitis, secondary peritonitis (occurs with endometritis, perforation of the ulcer). Limited peritonitis occupies a small area, while the inflammatory exudate can resolve. Acute purulent peritonitis causes a deterioration in the he alth of the calf, weight loss. Abdominal distention, rapid pulse and respiration are observed. If surgery is not carried out in time, the animal dies.

Disease prevention

At home, the prevention of diseases in young animals comes down to simple rules for caring for animals:

• calves are kept in clean, dry, draft-free rooms;
• cleanly washed dishes are used for feeding, colostrum is preheated a little for drinking;
• the room is constantly disinfected.

You also need to pay attention to regular vaccinations. The first time a paratyphoid vaccine is given to a week-old newborn.

Walks

Daily walks increase appetite and have a beneficial effect on the development of calves. For a special summer walk (fenced pasture), young animals older than 2-3 weeks are released every day. In winter, calves are allowed outside on fine days for about 5-10 minutes (the duration of exposure to fresh air is gradually increased).

Bringing young animals is a responsible process that requires attention and patience from the breeder. It is necessary not only to choose a suitable feeding ration, but also to monitor the well-being of calves. If newborns are unwell, it is recommended to seek help from a veterinarian.

Recommended