Calves with Sam

Newborn calf care tips

 Dr. Sheila McGuirk gave a list of tips for newborn care especially for assisted deliveries:

•  get calf on her belly - a natural position with her raises head for drainage. Don't hold calves upside down.
•  rub the calf with a dry towel - rub backwards from tail to head.
•  stimulate the head with the towel with special attention to the ears, nose and around the eyes - all areas with special sensitivity.
•  compress andshake the windpipe (trachea) -- this will often get the calf to cough.
•  for calves not breathing well, try a bit ice water (take a few ice cubes out with you in a small self-sealing plastic bag - this usually gets a calf to gasp or take a deep breath to inflate her lungs.
•  for calves not breathing well stimulate the nose to get a sneeze response - she suggests poking with a bit of straw in the nostril straight in from the side against the cartilege (sp?) a very sensitive spot OR staight against the end of the nose slightly under the center - again a very sensitive spot.
•  So, a neat little checklist.
•  Oh, did I mention I am at the national Dairy Calf and Heifer conference in Lancaster PA?
•  Maybe something tomorrow our blog.
•  sam
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