What to do if the calf does not stand up: causes and first aid, treatment

After the cow has calved, the newborn baby should rise on its own after 15 minutes. Such attempts are not always successful. Many novice farmers are often concerned about the question of what to do if the calf does not immediately get on its feet. At an older age, the situation may repeat itself. It is important to understand the causes of the problem and how to solve it in time.

Causes and predisposing factors

Identification of the reasons why the animal lies motionless helps to prescribe treatment. The pathology is evidenced by the situation when the calf cannot rise to its feet within an hour.According to statistics, approximately 7 such cases out of 100 end in death.

Unbalanced diet and poor care

An unbalanced diet of a pregnant cow affects the development of a calf in the womb. The animal requires special attention 3 months before birth.

During this period, vitamin and mineral supplements are added to food. Newborn calves often fall due to the mistakes of inexperienced owners.

They lead to unpleasant consequences when feeding:

1. Cold or sour milk.
2. Big nipple hole.
3. Sudden change in diet.
4. Using colostrum from an animal with mastitis.
5. Too much feeding.

Walking during bad weather and poor living conditions negatively affect the condition of the calves.

White Muscle Disease

For normal development, the diet of animals is enriched with useful additives. An insufficient amount of certain substances in the body is dangerous to he alth. Vitamin E deficiency, lack of methionine and selenium lead to white muscle disease.

The following manifestations should alert:

1. The calf breathes with difficulty, gets tired quickly.
2. The animal stops eating.
3. Loose stool appears.

If the calf fell on its side and does not rise, it is better to call a doctor. Based on the urine test, the veterinarian will determine the dosage of medications and the duration of the course of treatment. Commonly prescribed injections of vitamin E and sodium selenite.

Tetany

Diseases of the nervous system often lead to the fact that the calf does not get up. A characteristic symptom of tetany - after a fall, the animal begins to jerk its legs. Other signs:

1. Loss of activity.
2. Profuse salivation.
3. Convulsions begin.
4. Swollen joints.
5. Displacement of the eyeballs indicates an advanced stage of the disease.

To relieve pain, sedatives are prescribed and nutrition is adjusted. Mineral supplements are introduced into the diet of calves.

Rickets

Calf falls are also associated with rickets. The disease provokes a low content of vitamin D, phosphorus and calcium in the body. Pathology occurs at different ages. Unbalanced nutrition of pregnant cows contributes to the birth of sick offspring.

An accurate diagnosis is made only by a veterinarian after appropriate tests. The grounds for inviting a doctor are:

1. Deformation of the forelimbs and the shape of the skull of the animal.
2. Thickness of the ribs.
3. Joint augmentation.
4. Painful response to palpation of the lower back or pelvic bones.
5. Perverted appetite. The calf drinks slurry, chews walls, wool or earth.

The addition of ash, chalk or bone meal to food, a course of vitamins and minerals will alleviate the condition of the animal. In some cases, ultraviolet irradiation sessions are also prescribed.

Nutritional dystrophy

Improper nutrition and starvation often cause a calf to stop standing. This condition is characteristic of alimentary dystrophy. For this disease in animals:

1. A fifth of the original weight is lost.
2. Muscle wasting occurs.
3. Hair falls out and skin sags.
4. The rhythm of the heartbeat slows down, breathing weakens.

In order for the calf to begin to stand up, it is necessary to improve the functioning of the digestive tract and add more nutrients to the animal's diet.

Clinical signs

Sometimes, after birth, a calf cannot rise to its feet for about 8 hours. The sucking reflex in such cubs is weak. The folds of the skin do not straighten out for a long time, there is almost no fat layer. In sick animals:

1. Pulse is difficult to determine.
2. Shallow breathing.
3. Pale mucous membranes.
4. Lower body temperature.
5. External stimuli cause almost no reaction.

Animals with signs of hypoxia also cannot get up and lie down. Body weight sometimes even exceeds the norm. But in such calves, the heart rhythm and breathing are disturbed. The head often swells, the skin and mucous membranes become bluish. There is a lot of mucus in the mouth and nasal passages.

Help in the first minutes

Hypoxia during birth is observed in almost all calves. Some are less affected and can breathe air into their lungs on their own, while others need help.

After the birth of the animal, you must:

1. Raise the calf up. The upright position makes it easier to clear mucus from the airways.
2. The chest is rubbed with a bundle of straw until it is completely dry.
3. An effective measure is tongue massage.
4. Cool water poured over the back of the head activates the blood circulation process.
5. The Respirot emulsion is injected into the mouth or nose.

Usually, first aid measures have a positive effect. The calf begins to breathe and rises to its feet. For serious problems, call the veterinarian. Attempts to resuscitate the animal continue until the arrival of a specialist.

Methods of treating the problem

In emergency cases, they resort to artificial respiration or chest compressions, inject adrenaline or atropine. Further treatments:

1. Young animals are transferred to a warm room. Infrared lamps are used for heating.
2. Provides the introduction of vitamin complexes through injections or inhalations.
3. Use stimulants.
4. Inject glucose.
5. Sometimes Hydrolysin injections are prescribed.

Farmers are also concerned about why a grown calf, which is 1-2 months old, does not get on its feet. Causes of limb failure:

They apply a bandage, use compresses, ointments, antiseptics.The calf does not get up and lies downLow muscle tonePathologies of the central nervous system: spinal cord injury, malignancy, hemorrhage or overheating of the animalDiagnosis and treatment is carried out only by a veterinarian after a thorough examination.

Symptoms	Diseases	Treatment methods
The animal drags its hind limbs while moving	Extremity injuries: scratches, bruises, sprains
Poor pupil light response
The bull looks lethargic and sleepy
The calf lies motionless

For any symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor to rule out misdiagnosis and agree on treatment options.

Prevention measures

Preventive measures will help keep young animals he althy. Both newborns and older calves are provided with normal conditions for keeping:

1. Air the barn regularly.
2. Keep feed fresh and animals' diets balanced.
3. Remove obstacles that could cause a calf to fall.
4. Try to avoid stressful situations.
5. Performing veterinary checkups.

If you take care of the he alth of the livestock, you can prevent the occurrence of serious problems, and the calves will get on their feet right after birth.An attentive owner who creates all conditions for the normal development of animals ensures the prosperity of the farm.

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