I have a newborn calf that was born yesterday morning. I got up this morning and it looks like its tail is bitten off. I called every vet around this place with no luck on finding a vet that deals with large animals. I have no idea what to do the bone is visable and the flesh is visable on the tail. Does anyone have any idea what I should do to fix this till I can find a vet?
newborn calf that has a bad injury to its tail
I'm no vet, but would think some neosporin or similar ointment on gauze and taped on will keep down infection and start the healing until you find a vet.
If all the skin has been pulled off the tail and all that's left is the bone I'd bob the tail at the point the skin is gone. I'd just find out what folks use to bob lamb's tails and use that. It's possible that you could just use a good sharp set of hoof trimmers if you have some. There's no reason you can't do it yourself. I imagine that the tail bones are at this point mostly cartilage. After it's done just spray a little wound spray on it and turn him loose. No need for a bandage. Just keep an eye on it for a few days. There are dairies that regularly bob tails to keep down on the dirt that goes in the milk tank.
Janet
It has been many years, BUT, if my memory serves me right, all of what Janets says is so.. (from docking a dogs tail point of view)
think of an encased ummm ok sock on foot... cut toe of sock, roll sock back to ankle, cut off foot, roll sock back down, trim excess sock, leaving enough to fold over and stitch wound closed, stitch w/ fishing line, keep clean and follow maineiacs neosporins advice.
Didn't mean to simplify that.. just wanted to give a visual.
How did this little one make out?