Beef Calf Procedures Lab

Question 1

What are some critical parts of a distance physical exam of a calf?

Answer 1

Attitude, following mom, nursing, see how they ambulate, looking at feces

Question 2

What are the three most common issues in calve?

Answer 2

Scours, respiratory and Septicemia

Question 3

What does bubbles in poop mean?

Answer 3

Rumen Acidosis, Indigestion or bacterial issue

Question 4

Explain what you will be looking for in the physical exam?

Answer 4

Behind:
Feces Consistency
Urine
Vulva - CRT, mucus, odor
Temp
Testicles
Palpation: repro, rumen, kidney, artery, intestines in right quadrant

Left side:
Heart (PAM)
Jugular fill
Lungs (Right ventral most aspiration pneumonia)
Withers pinch
Rumen - no normal pings (follow rib with stethoscope)
Check umbilicus or udder
Legs and joints

Right side:
Heat (T)
Lungs
Jugular fill
Withers pinch
Legs and joints
Listen for ping
Udder or umbilicus

Head:
Eyes - scleral injection
Nose
Ears
Teeth
Mouth
Hydration Status
CRT
Suckle Reflex

Question 5

What are the most critical things to check in a cafl?

Answer 5

Umbilicus, joints and feces, eye, suckle reflex

Question 6

What should you do when taking a dehydration status on a calf?

Answer 6

Make sure the head is straight

Question 7

How do you band a calf?

Answer 7

Restrain by laying down or tail jacking while standing
Grab testicles and count to 2
Place green (not dry rotted) band on and point the spikes up toward abdomen
open and insert testicles, pull down and count to 2, then work band off (high as you can without nipple involvement)

Question 8

What disease are banded calves more susceptible to?

Answer 8

Tetanus (always vaccinate)

Question 9

Name a few castration tools and what they are used for:

Answer 9

Bander- babies <3 weeks ideal
Cut - Scapple blade and twist and pull
Callicrate bander - must be >200lbs, for large bulls and prolapses
XL bander - also for adult cattle
Emasculator - cut and crimp (Nut to nut) - keep on 1 minute to crimp
Emasculatome - crimp, must cut below the tool
Burdizzo - crimp to reduce blood flow
Newberry Knife and Henderson Tool - help open scrotum more and twist off testicle to reduce bleeding (Cut finer less)

Question 10

What is critical to remember when castrating?

Answer 10

Keep upper hand on the outside of the scrotum
Pull with other
Twist to reduce bleeding

Question 11

What types of pain relief do we have?

Answer 11

Meloxicam - 1mg/kg PO (15mg tablet)
Lidocaine 2% (20mg/ml) - 2-4mgs/kg total

Question 12

What is the withdraw of meloxicam?

Answer 12

21 days (one dose)

Question 13

What size needle do you use for venipuncture on a calf?

Answer 13

18G 1inch