17/06/2026
I’ve had THREE messages the past week where I’m told one of their R1 (older calf) is “down” and cannot get up. Other signs have included runny poo, extreme fluffy coats, rubbed/chaffed fur, very underweight and riddled with lice. All three owners have given their animal the best chance at fighting/treating it, but sometimes it’s too late.
I try to make informative posts at the right seasons about the importance of staying on top of drenching at the right time (ESPECIALLY for young stock), the same with hooves and preventing lameness. All cases have had faecal egg counts done (one with a severe burden). Your stock should NOT be “light” heading into Winter. I always recommend that having a bit extra weight is a good thing especially so they have leeway to lose it if feed runs scarce, it’s exceptionally cold etc. For an animal to stay warm they need good feed and body condition. But if they’re full of worms, or have lice, those worms are eating all the nutrients and sucking their blood, so you’re just wasting feed, money and watching your stock go backwards. And it is veryyy hard to get them to bounce back, it can be a costly and timely process and affects the long term growth.
I was routinely vaccinating a highland calf earlier in the year and beneath all the gorgeous fluff was hundreds of wriggling lice. A simple check when you put hay/balage/grain out will save you money, time and mean your stock are being regularly assessed and cared for respectively.
I am ALWAYS happy to give advice (I’m always learning too!)! I offer lifestyle block consultancy sessions where you can ask all sorts of species specific questions about health procedures, nutrition, signs of ill health to look out for, what products you should have in a wee kit for those “just in case” moments… I hate seeing any animal suffer and this is the whole philosophy behind my business. I try to keep prices affordable (no horrid mileage charge or per minute job charge like the clinics do), so please think about the above and if you need help with anything or want to book a consultancy session just message the page 📃 Calving is just around the corner and when you’re responsible for a neonates development, you need to know what you’re doing!
Pictured below is my 5 month old calf, Munchkin, in his new “Unicorn” jacket (admittedly it was for my little Heifer, Milo, but it was too big.. oops!), he thinks he looks pretty snazzy though! 🙈🥰🥲
**Veterinary technician making routine animal health procedures more affordable**
