Ask the Vet

Dr. Ken McMillan, Contributing Columnist

READER: If a calf is slow at birth, what suggestions do you have to get it going? I've heard caffeine or other things can give it a boost.

DR. McMILLAN: Getting calves off to a good start is extremely important not just for calf survival but to avoid neonatal diseases.

The first steps should happen long before the calf is born. Good heifer development and bull selection are critical to avoid difficult births. I prefer both heifers and cows to have a body condition score of about 6. Overconditioning can be almost as bad as underconditioning. Match bull calving ease expected progeny differences (EPDs) to your heifers and cows.

The next step is the art of knowing when to intervene to assist a cow in labor. Overly aggressive observation can create problems, but calves that remain in the birth canal too long will usually be weak at birth. My rule is to intervene after a cow has been in hard labor for more than an hour and heifers for two to three hours, but others have different standards. We had one reader who said he never intervened and, over the years, had essentially eliminated calving problems.

After a normal birth, calves should breathe within 30 seconds, lift their head within three minutes, sit up within five minutes, try to stand within 20 minutes, stand within an hour and nurse within two hours.

If the calf seems weak or slow to stand, dry it off, dip the navel in a disinfectant like Betadine or chlorhexidine, and warm the calf, if needed. Continued rubbing of the calf with a towel mimics the cow licking the calf and stimulates the calf. If there is any doubt that the calf got adequate colostrum, give a colostrum replacer (not supplement) using an esophageal feeder.

Caffeine has been used for years in human infants and calves to stimulate breathing. For the first years of my practice, we had a caffeine injection I found to be quite effective; but to my knowledge, it's off the market. Many experts recommend giving weak calves an energy drink such as 5-Hour Energy. This can provide up to 200 milligrams of caffeine. Cold water applied to the ear may also stimulate the calf.

Weak calves, especially those after hard or prolonged birth, may be in considerable pain. Injectable nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including flunixin, ketoprofen or meloxicam have been proven to improve calf vigor and improve weight gain in the first weeks of life. These are all prescription medications, so talk with your veterinarian for guidance on how these drugs should be used.

READER: I know animals have different normal temperatures from humans. What do you consider normal?

DR. McMILLAN: Most animals -- except equines -- don't sweat much. That can make their temperatures much more variable, especially if they have exerted themselves or if it's hot.

In the absence of these factors, the following are pretty good rules of thumb for when you might consider animals have a fever and may need attention or possible treatment:

-- bovine: 103°F (39.5°C)

-- small ruminants: 103.3°F (39.6°C)

-- swine: 103°F (39.5°C)

-- equine: 101.5°F (38.6°C)

-- dogs and cats: 102°F (38.89°C)

**

-- Please contact your veterinarian with questions pertaining to the health of your herd. Every operation is unique, and the information in this column does not pertain to all situations. This is not intended as medical advice but is purely for informational purposes.

-- These are only my thoughts and general guidelines. Please get with your veterinarian and together develop the best program for your herd.

-- Email Dr. Ken McMillan at vet@dtn.com

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