For the last five years I have taken in my Dad's bottle calves that for one reason or another (one mother prolapsed and died day after given birth, one the mother absolutely would not have anything to do with, one was a twin and it's legs were twisted back and he could not get up and mother did not have enough Milk, one would just bunt the little guy so we ended up just taking him away.) Anyways all, but one of them when shortly after getting them started on milk replacer would get sickly. Whether it was stress, overeating, or a touch of other illness I can not totally say. But they all made it and the only thing I can come up with is after mentioning this to some good friends of mine they came and gave them a shot of "C&D Anti-toxin".
Now the calf I had last year I swear to the Lord above we did absolutely everything for her that we could from antibiotics, to you name it within three days she was laid out. My son and I went out every half hour made her get up and move to keep everything moving. I finally called my friend and he brought over a shot of the C&D Anti toxin. His medicine was outdated but we used it anyways. Now this was at about 10 o'clock in the morning that the shot was givin,, off and on thru out the day we would move her, and just keep buggin I guess you could say. About 3 pm I had lost just about all hope, she wouldn't even help try to stand anymore. Though we kept moving her. About 5 oclock that evening my son came running out of the house(we were on the side hill raking) and watching he ran to her she jumped up and followed him.
I swear to you this is true, and if I would not of seen it I would not have believed it! They were inseperatable after that. So I would really check into this stuff It was called
C & D Anti-toxin. It has worked for every one we have used it on.
The year before I had one of my friends' calves the mother wouldn't take it, we bottle fed her and then when the green grass started coming up she would eat on it she ended up sick they came over and gave here a shot of it. They said they may have to do two doses and maybe a dose of pepto too if she didn't show improvement by the next morning. She was much better so didn't need more. There again it ws the same medicine.
It's worth a try. I wouldn't be without it now.
I really don't think it was from taking away too soon. Sometimes there is no choice in the matter wich was the deal with most of the ones I have ended up with.
When these little ones are first born go little amounts, ( 1/3 bottle) more often, in other words 1/3 to half a bottle and work up to the normal. Also, if you're unsure if they have gotten mothers first milk, you can purchase that also.
The twin I had last year we were able to milk the mother and give to him while the other twin did his own. I also purchased some for him, because I was not sure how much my dad was able to get into him.
I have not personally bought it( the anti-toxin), but from what I understand it is a big quanity that is why I would just call my friend rather than purchase a whold new bottle for one calf.
I hope this helps.
PS: I just was thinking if you watch their legs depending on which stage you catch it in, they will lift slightly and do a twitch with it, usually the back like they are trying to kick their stomach though it is not real noticable, also you may notice a Slight and Really depending on the circumstance a slight swelling in the stomach area. Ears may start to droop a little too, and holding in of tail.