Problem with a Steer Calf?

[tenbach79]

Went out this morning to feed the weaned calves and in the steer pen I found a calf with his rectum protruding. A big red mass hanging out of his back end. Has anyone seen this before or have had this? I have never seen this before. Looks just like when you have a cow prolaps. Does anyone have a idea on whats going on? Called the vet to come take a look so I guess I will find out then. Thought I would see if anyone had this happen to them.

 

[ChrisB]

I had a 3-4 month old calf with a prolapsed rectum a couple years ago. We stitched it up and tubed it with mineral oil and had the vet out a couple times and finally put it down. The vet was confused as to why the treatment didn't work and wanted volunteered to do a necropsy on it and found that the calf had a restricted intestine that it probably had since birth. He figured it was fine while it was just getting mild but when it started eating more solids it was unable to process the hay/silage and that caused the intestine to basically plug up at the restriction.

I'm sure it's not what is causing your problem since the calf is already weaned, but thought it might be of interest to others.

 

[tenbach79]

Its puzzeling to me I just hope I dont have more do the same thing. These calves have been weaned since Nov 11 and I plan on selling them Jan 14. They have been on the same feed ever since then also. I guess I will find out the vet is coming out after lunch.

 

[Kato]

This is a common feedlot problem. Sometimes they do it if they are riding other animals. Sometimes if they are a little constipated, or sometimes if they are the opposite, and straining from scouring. Whatever the cause, early treatment is the important thing to remember. If you can get it back in before it is too irritated, sometimes it will stay in by itself. If it gets really swollen and irritated, that alone can make them strain even more.

When we have this happen, we'll get the calf into the chute really quick, soap it up, put it back, and give them a shot of antibiotics and some Predef to help take down the swelling. Then we keep them alone somewhere for a couple of days and see if it all stays where it belongs.

If not, then the vet gets involved. Then it usually involves stitches to keep it in, and that works really well. You do have to figure out what caused it in the first place though, so it won't happen again.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Triangle Bar]

I've had two steer calves with prolapsed rectums...both had coccidiosis and were doing an excessive amount of straining from the bloody diarrhea. In both cases the vet sowed 'em back in and had no other problems.

Good luck with yours tenbach.

 

[hillsdown]

Triangle coccidiosis usually is the first thing to look at with prolapses but if it is only the one steer and you did not see bloody fecal matter in him or the others my guess would be an intestinal blockage or a bacterial infection.

I had a problem with coccidiosis in my 2 month old calves quite a few years ago and that is the first thing the vet said to look out for . I started giving them free choice calf starter with decox and have not had a problem since.

Good luck tenbach, and let us know what your vet finds out.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

Feeding a supplement with Decoxx or Bovatec or Rumensin can greatly reduce the incidence of Ccocidiosis . We have successfully treated prolased rectums with brown sugar. It takes some patience but does shrink the swelling.