MMN July 2024 – Why Won’t a Calf Suckle?

There are many reasons why some calves struggle to suckle from a teat. One of the main causes is an acidotic calf at birth and this condition is most likely due to a difficult calving or premature birth.

Lack of oxygen

Any calf that has had a difficult or prolonged calving is likely to have been starved of oxygen if the umbilical cord has ruptured early on or has been compressed. Lack of oxygen (in conjunction with a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood) causes a drop in blood pH or acidosis, which not only weakens the suck reflex but also reduces the absorption of antibodies from colostrum. These calves can appear dopey as a result of the acidosis, with weak muscle tone and they struggle to stand.

An early-born calf may not have fully developed lungs and so may struggle to fully oxygenate its tissues and remove carbon dioxide. This can also result in acidosis, leading to weak, dopey calves and weak reflexes.

Other symptoms that may be seen in acidotic calves include:

• Erratic kicking by the calf while still in the uterus.
• Irregular breathing continuing after 30 seconds post-birth.
• The calf has not raised its head in the first five minutes after birth.
• When pinching between the calf’s toes, the foot is not withdrawn.

Nutritional deficiency

Weak calves can also be due to a nutritional deficiency in the dam, with a lack of protein or energy or both affecting calf vigour and time to stand. Micronutrient deficiency such as lack of selenium, iodine and/or vitamin E can also be common reasons for weak calf syndrome. Dietary assessment in the pre-calving period should be reviewed and a mineral audit conducted to ensure requirements for major minerals, trace elements and vitamins are met. The key major mineral for pre-calving cows is magnesium to aid calcium mobilisation and smooth muscle contraction, helping prevent slow calvings.

Genetic abnormalities/physical problem with the mouth

A cleft palate can make suckling extremely difficult. While these calves may initially appear keen to suckle, what they try and drink may either be inhaled and cause aspiration pneumonia, or come out through the nose. This can be ruled out by opening the calf’s mouth and checking the roof of the mouth for a linear gap.

Floppy tongue syndrome can affect a calf’s ability to suckle (see photo below). The condition has mainly been seen in suckler herds but has also been found in dairy herds. The tongue may be larger than normal and sticks out the front or side of the mouth. In some cases the lower jaw is also deformed (squinty jaw syndrome) and lies at an angle to the upper jaw. The suckle reflex is very poor at birth and can slowly recover but may take days to weeks.

Calves with floppy tongue and squinty jaw syndrome

 

Source: SRUC Veterinary Services

 

The cause of both these conditions is unknown, but several theories include genetics, nutrition, infectious disease or foetal exposure to toxins and in the case of floppy tongue, presence of the double muscling gene.

Dealing with acidotic calves

A calf that is acidotic at birth will be slow to stand and may even have difficulty raising its head. It is best to try and encourage these calves to sit up, as if left lying down on their side, it is harder for oxygen to reach the lower lung. Ensure that there is no mucous covering the calf’s nose and blocking the airways, and if the calf is showing no sign of sitting up after 15 minutes, consult your vet.

Treatment can be given to help correct the acidosis and this involves injecting the calf intravenously with sodium bicarbonate, along with either oral or intravenous fluids. Bicarbonate injection should be done by your vet.

Sometimes there is no obvious cause of a calf not willing to suck. Calves that have bonded with their dam and suckled from her are less likely to take to drinking from a teat or open bucket. Some farmers have found success improving mineral supply to the cow during the dry period or from administering a vitamin injection to the calf, but it is best to seek nutritional advice along with perseverance and trying teats of different sizes to encourage the calf to drink.

 

lorna.macpherson@sac.co.uk; 07760 990901