The calf does not eat or drink: what to do and the causes of the pathology, nutritional features

The birth of a calf is the most important event in the farm. Responsibility for the he alth of cow offspring lies with the person, not with the calving animal. The baby needs special care in order to become strong in the future. If the calf does not eat or drink milk, what to do in such a situation? The reasons may be related to physiological characteristics, pathologies.

Why the calf won't eat or drink

Let's consider the main causes of lack of appetite in a newborn animal.

Undeveloped sucking reflex

The baby may refuse food and drink due to a poorly developed sucking reflex. He is in a bad mood because he does not understand how to get food. To help the calf cope with the problem, you should guide him to the cow's udder. After 2-3 feedings, he will remember the process, stop being lethargic and eat poorly.

A newborn calf needs to understand the taste of mother's milk. To do this, wet your finger with colostrum, let the baby lick it.

Unappealing food

Another current problem faced by calves is milk at the wrong temperature. The liquid should be between 37-39 degrees. Also, the newborn may not like the taste of milk. In this case, he seems to have no appetite. Experts advise adding the following components to the feeding bottle:

• fish oil - 2 tbsp. l.;
• egg - 1 piece;
• s alt - 1 tsp

Thoroughly mix the ingredients with milk, drink the young from the nipple. To accustom to food should be gradually, constantly monitored so that the appetite does not disappear. If this happens, you need to use two methods of attracting to feed at once: with a finger and a nipple.

Sick

If the calf refuses to drink milk, it may indicate illness. He althy animals always have a good appetite. Possible diseases in which the baby ceases to fully eat:

• white muscle disease;
• white diarrhea;
• inflammation of the lungs, gastric mucosa;
• paratyphoid;
• hernia.

If any ailment is suspected, the little bull should be shown to the veterinarian, provided with the necessary treatment in a short time.

Features of nutrition of calves

An animal is born with a weakened immune system, its formation is just beginning. Fully functioning in the gastrointestinal tract, only the stomach section of the abomasum. All the missing microelements, the strengthening of immunity is provided by the cow when it begins to feed with colostrum. It also increases the appetite for the future.

It is important for the he alth of the baby that he eats within 2-4 hours after birth. During the first feeding, the animal should receive about 1.5 liters of colostrum. If such an amount is unbearable for him, you need to gradually solder in small sips.

The first couple of days the calf should be given 6 liters of colostrum, divided into 4-5 feedings. A he althy animal should have a dry tail and a wet nose. When the newborn gets stronger, he can be transferred to milk, then taught to drink water from a bucket.

How to transfer an animal to artificial feeding

A cow does not always produce enough milk after calving to fully feed her offspring. In such situations, it is required to transfer the baby to artificial nutrition. Only this will help to properly form, develop a small animal. Difficulties may arise during the translation process. After eating a natural product, the baby is not always ready to eat artificial substitutes.

If he refuses to eat, every effort must be made to feed him. Low-quality products can cause a lack of appetite, so it's better not to save money on calf nutrition.

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent loss of appetite in calves include avoiding the possibility of gastrointestinal diseases. To do this, follow these rules:

• feed your baby with colostrum for the first two weeks;
• liquid temperature - 37-39 degrees;
• buy high-fat products as artificial feeding;
• do not overfeed animals;
• clean out calf pens periodically;
• put sick animals in isolation.

Before feeding newborns, it is necessary to wash the bottles in boiled water with the addition of baking soda. The food in the feeders needs to be changed every day, not to leave yesterday's food. To strengthen the immune system, the calf should be fed cow's milk or an artificial substitute for at least 12 weeks.

It is important to observe the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. If your baby has diarrhea, remove newly added solids.

When these fail to solve the problem, you need to contact your veterinarian. It is impossible to delay the visit, otherwise the well-being of the young will worsen. Pathological processes in the body of newborns develop rapidly. After 3 weeks from birth, complementary foods are gradually introduced to the baby. The following trace elements should be present in the diet:

• s alt;
• bone meal;
• chalk;
• feed phosphates.

Insufficient amount of nutrients leads to slow growth and development of the animal, the appearance of diseases.Rational and proper nutrition of a newborn calf is the basis of his good he alth in the future. The animal needs special care, hygiene, high-quality feeding. When the calf does not eat or drink, you need to immediately contact the veterinarian to determine the type of ailment and solve the problem.

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