The link that Reader posted the first time was dead on the money. So weird that we've never had this happen before, but who knows when ya have drought for a couple years, which we haven't had since we've had cattle, (not this bad at least) I spose they'll nibble on anything and everything. We are still in fairly good shape grass wise, but the weeds are poppin up everywhere.
Here's basically what the vet said, after a big rain, when these pig/goat weeds start growin fast, they produce some chemical, which in turn, if eaten, affects the calfs liver, which produces a toxin, that goes into their skin........the sun shinin on them with this much heat and intensity has a reaction with that chemical in their skin....which results in these scaley bumpy places on the calf......talk about a chain reaction affect huh?
Basic treatment is to get them out of direct sunlight, which the calf is already doin by stayin in the shade, he said after a couple three days they learn to mill around at night and graze, and mama will come find him, I've seen her do that already, and watched him nurse. So he is gettin fed. Since we have no barn, I asked him if we should pen him, he's been to our place and knows that there's more shade in the pasture than the few trees around our corrals offer. He said leave him out, at least he'll be grazin and suckin his mama. LA-200 again on friday. He said the only thing that we could do that we didnt do is to put some kind of ointment on it that has lanolin in it. I didnt have any on hand, so will get that before we catch again friday.
That's not Mr Lilly in the photo's. Mr Lilly was at work this mornin, friend of ours volunteered to come out and catch the calf for us, knowing Mr Lilly is cuttin hay again this evenin. Sides...it was cooler work in the AM LOL And also this is a new horse he just got, and wanted to see how he worked in the pasture.
Bill's a great guy, anytime we need him for anything, all we gotta do is ask and he'll be there. We in turn do things for him when needed....it's a great system.