Immediately after giving BIRTH:
The Mother  licks/ washes her newborn.   
This helps with mother–newborn bonding, and gives the newborn some "get up and go".  
The newborn then attempts to stand. This is followed by balancing, then experimenting with moving its legs, progressing to it’s 1^st steps.   
The mother often positions herself so she can moo, baa ect to her infant, and so she can nudge her newborn towards her teats.
The newborn will instinctively “put its mouth over” a teat that touches the side of its face (called the ROOTING reflex)
Sucking IS a reflex in the newborn.  
-The season "of birth" for these young ruminants  is "nature designed" to fit in with their feed needs.
Mothers need abundant feed to supply milk to their young. There needs to be adequate feed for her young once they are weaned.  
-Calves, lambs, kids and fawn are all born as "monogastrics" ("nono" = one).. which enables them to digest a milk diet.
 As adults they are RUMINANTS, and digest pasture. (ect..)
 Part of rearing these young ruminants involves introducing them to diet that assists them to become a ruminant. 
Pasture provides all the essential "goodies" for health and growth. It's far less expensive than milk!! 

 COLOSTRUM –  the 1^st drink  &  a very vital drink..
Colostrum is the milk in the mother's udder/teats immediately after she gives birth.  
The newborn sucking from the mother is part of the newborn –mother bonding.
Colostrum provides warmth, fluids plus many nutrients, and important antibodies.
   Re antibodies:
 The placental structure in cattle, sheep, deer, & goat limit the transfer of immunity, because antibody molecules 
   are just too big to be  transferred.
 The ruminant mother’s colostrum contains these needed antibodies. She “manufactures them” as the result of HER exposure
 to the diseases in the environment.  
Once the newborn absorbs these antibodies, it becomes the newborns protection/ immunity till about 7- 8 weeks of age,
 until the animals own immune system takes over. 
Nutrients in colostrum:
The fat content in colostrum is higher than normal milk.. Fat provides energy.
It is rich in the fat soluble vitamins A, D and E.
It contains protein.
Colostrum Quality:
In short, colostrum from a first time mother is good.  However colostrum from an older mother will have more antibodies, and they are capable of producing greater amounts of colostrum.
Each time the mother is “milked”, the quality of her colostrum is reduced.
Emergency Colostrum:
-Colostrum can safely be stored in the freezer for a year. 
  -The VERY BEST  colostrum is obtained soon after birth & from an older dam. 
 -Colostrum needs careful handling to avoid contamination. (clean equipment, clean hands)
- When freezing colostrum use small containers.  (plastic bags, or plastic containers.) Because its faster, and easier to thaw.  (If several litres are needed, 
 then thaw out several containers.)
-When thawing:    The temperature should not go above "blood temperature". Too much heat will damage it.
 There is merit in giving a weak newborn a small amount of colostrum; perhaps, just enough to get it on its feet.   You really want the infant to drink from its
mother.    When the newborn is on its feet then you can help to teach it to drink from its mother.
The vets & farm supply stores usually sell "man made" colostrum.  BUT this colostrum is minus antibodies.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
 *When colostrum is NOT OK:
Rarely - there are times when it’s best not to let the newborn feed from its mother:
       Her milk, or contaminated teats could spread disease:
Caprine arthritis and encephalitis (CAE)     http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/55000.htm 
If mother has rapid lost weight & possibly watery diarrhoea:  Johnes disease:  http://www.johnesdisease.org/     
    ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
As a farmer:
Know the date when your animal /animals are to give birth.   
  (If YOU organize the mating dates: It’s best to plan the birth to fit in with the grass growing season. The mother needs plenty of pasture for lactation.
The weaned young animal needs plenty of feed also.)
Keep an eye on you animals well before birthing.
-Around calving time (in a herd situation):  - A “clucky” cow may steal another cow’s calf.
    Frequent checks on the herd, & ear tags are great help for matching newborn with mother.
-There may be a premature birth.
-Some new mothers may NOT know what to do with this miniature. You may find an unwashed newborn. Mother may be some distance away. (See below)
-  You may be need to give the newborn have its first drink.  
      If the animal is weak, an oesophageal feeder or tube feeder may need to be used to give the newborn its very first feed.
   For the new mother who hasn’t bonded with her baby: -Give the newborn only a small amount of stored colostrum (small- so it wont feel “full”,
   - just enough to help the newborn onto its feet.) Then when the newborn is up on its feet - work on establishing a mother and newborn relationship.
Occasionally a cow with calf may threaten to butt you. IF you must get close to her, carry a stick.
   You may just have to give her a thwack across her nose.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 For the newborn:
- - Make sure your newborn has a good feed of colostrum.
-  * * * Spay the newborns navel with iodine. * * * *
- This is so VERY VERY important.  (see below for diseases & links)
    Bacteria are every where in the enviroment.
  The newborn navel (umbilicus) is warmth, and damp.
  Bacteria appreciate these conditions!!. 
  Bacteria can speedily travel up the umbilicus/navel and get into the newborns blood.
 This can  cause so many serious health problems:
  Navel ill,  joint ill,  liver abscess,  bladder infections, ect ect  and even death.
         If you can: 
  Buy IODINE in bottle with a spray top.
   Then- when spraying the umbilicus, the sprayed iodine can get a good cover. (Preferable to dabbing it on)
  Iodine is a great 1^st aid for cuts and scratches on you animals.  
   If its sprayed on (especially
if the wound is sore) it means you can treat the wound, quicker, and at a safer distance.
* speaking of bugs  - Oesophageal feeders need to be thoroughly cleaned before use, and thoroughly cleaned after use.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Young ruminants drinking:
Below are youtube videos of calves, lambs, kids & fawn being fed by hand.   
Look for - how eager they are for a feed. (They know the sounds, and they know the routine)
Hear those greedy slurping sounds.
Watch those tails swinging.
Calves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUnQf76dR5c&feature=related 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIOvoz-eUlg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo57QflI5RI&feature=related   
Lambs-
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EiIoyQxag6k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqW_ANy0QZQ&feature=related
Kids – baby goats:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=illflvo0AOg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvyczKAwohY&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvyczKAwohY&NR=1
Fawn /baby deer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUdl5zR4RJs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrw_S_KBcA4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Ik5GncSNg&feature=related
 

Rescuing Newborns:
Mothers don’t always choose the best weather, or ideal places to give birth!!!.
As a farmer:
You may occasionally need to provide warm for the newborn. Help, or give it colostrum. And spray its navel with iodine..  
Premature calves: 
They’re small. Their skin appears to be too big for them.
Their hooves have a chewed appearance at the edges. 
*If they’re too premature; its chances of survival (despite your dedication) could be minimal.

Rescuing Calves:
Provide warmth for the calf: (perhaps by wrapping your coat around it) Take mother and newborn somewhere sheltered: perhaps a shed, or a barn. You can make calf like noises to encourage mother to follow.  
Once mother and baby are together.. Your 1^st priority is to help it have a feed of colostrum.
-Maybe assist it to stand, and position it near a teat. (Making calf “maa” noises may help mother to do her part)
If the calf is too weak: I’ve resorted to feeding a small amount of warmed stored colostrum by oesophageal feeder. (Just enough to help the calf “get up and go”.. Not too much: I want the calf to drink from its mother.)
If the calf is an orphan- in “bad weather” the calf gets to come “indoors”, and stay by the warmth of our lounge fire. (That means I don’t have to go out in the cold to feed it)  They get a full feed of stored colostrum…preferably by bottle.. 
   - Read further down the page for more helpful tips on calf rearing.
Fawns:
Rescuing & feeding-  
http://www.deer-library.com/artman/publish/article_27.shtml     
http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter,nsf/WebPages/RPIO-4ZT422?open
LAMBS: Rescuing a newborn Lamb:
     Contributed by Denise Gavin Pahiatua. New Zealand.
Colostrum, purchased from neighbouring dairy farmers is stored (in small containers) in the deep freeze prior to lambing. To revive weak lambs they are given warmed colostrum to drink.
If lambs are really cold, I give them a bath in the laundry tub, using nice hot water, about the temperature that you would like to have a bath in. After the bath they are towel dried, then dried with a hair drier.
They are placed in a box close to the fire, for the lambs to have a sleep, and let the colostrum "kick in". I often hear them trotting around after a few hours, and I know they're on the mend. The next couple of feeds are cow colostrum, usually two hourly during the day only (not at night) Then they are fed a lamb milk preparation. They do well that way. (Cow milk, and goat milk have a lower fat content than sheep. Use only a sheep milk replacer, and obey the mixing instructions, The mixing temperature is very important to ensure an even distribution of the fats.
Foster a lamb:
Consider using a ewe to foster your lamb.. This needs to be started as soon after birth as possible. Penning newborn lamb and  would-be mother together help make the task easier. 
 If the lamb is not dried off, rub the lamb in the placenta of the ewes own lamb. A dead lambs skin can be placed over the adoptee's skin so the mother will thinks its her lamb.
   If still refusing to let the lamb suckle; restrain the mother (in a safe way) where she cannot push the adoptee lamb away.
Tail docking of lambs:                                                        
If Using rubber rings: You'll need rubber rings, and a "ring applicator".
The stretched rubber ring is stretched over the applicator and moved into position.  These are all available from stores selling necessities for farmers.  The rubber rings can be applied shortly after birth.
The hot iron method can be done when they're older. Choose fine weather for this task.
 A newborn kid.  
    Thanks to: Patricia (Florida) and Judy (Georgia) for this information.
Get the kid to shelter and warmth.  If it's really cold then give them a warm bath, and then a towel dry them.
Keep them in the warmth of your house. Spray its navel with iodine.
Kids are best fed with thawed, warmed goats colostrum from *CAE negative dams.
 Failing that: cow colostrum, or even a pre-packaged colostrum will have to do..
  If the kid is too weak to suck, But has some vigour about it, use a stomach tube.
To return a bathed kid to its mother after a bath, (or for a mother to adopt a kid,) rub the placenta over the kid’s body.
Hand fed kids initially are fed every 2 or 3 hours, until they can take several ounces. (to 150 mls)
After the colostrum feeds for 24 hours, they go on to a goat milk replacer.
If it is to be a pet goat, then it needs shelter from the cold, the wind, and the rain. Goats will nibble at grass at about a week of age.
If you keep your kid in your garden .. be aware that some plants are poisonous to goats.
The kids have hay available to nibble on, and some commercial goat feed. (use one with a coccidiostat) Kids are fed 3 times a day for several weeks, and then onto twice a day feeds. Any alteration to the kids milk/milk mixture must be done gradually.
The kids are weaned at about 8 weeks, depending on their weight. Rearing Sheds are used as goats don't have a padding of fat for warmth.

Oesopageal Feeders /tube feeding.
If a newborn cannot suck, it's probably very weak (or even sick).  
The oesophageal feeder is the next best thing. Milk will go directly into the immature rumen rather than bypassing it.
This does slow the speed of absorption a bit, but it is reassuring that the newborn is receiving colostrum. 
Inserting the tubing: Extend the newborn's head back .. So that its basically "straight down" to its stomach.
Make sure it IS in the stomach, and not in it's windpipe.
The feeder pictured at left is designed for calves. The instructions are on the outside of the container. The photo right is a feeder designed for lambs.
These feeders are usually available from your local vet, or from  farm supplies stores.
Shoof International. (NZ) have a great range of feeders for various species.   www.shoof.co.nz
As soon as you can, give your newborn a drink using a teat and container.
 Only use the oesophageal feeder in an emergency.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 -If you plan to machine milk this cow: 
 Before Calving:- Introduce her  to your "milking set up". 
Let her inspect the building at her leisure. Have the exit gate open so she can stroll out.
 The knowledge of an "escape route" will be reassuring  when she's milked for the very 1st time.   
Milking in a herringbone shed situation:
Farmers often position a squirming 1st calver between older and bigger cows.
-This wont stop her kicking those cups off:
A kick rail running the length of the framework, and set to collect kicks, will minimize her kicking at you.
Leg ropes are very dangerous!!
Cows have been known to cough and the cups fall off, (and they do it deliberately!!)  Cups need to be properly fitting.
* A frightened animal will NOT  let her milk down.  She will make as much mess as possible.
You can turn the  radio on, make calf noises, talk gently to her, and even quietly rub her neck, or give her some hay.
If all methods fail.. talk to the VET.  They sell a  "let down" injection. You'll need a syringe and needle also.
The very frightened cow:  Be aware - Think ahead of her so you can minimise the dangers. 
She wants out!!  She may jump. She'll mess everwhere!! This can be dangerous.Get someone to help you.
  Her mess creates a slippery surface, (especially on concrete). Her hooves can skid.  Cows aren't designed to do the splits!!. 
-Restrain her SAFELY in a position where you can safely milk her. 
* The let down reflex:
The "Let down" is a reflex which is stimulated by the hormone oxytocin.
Fright, & fear may trigger the release of the hormone adrenaline, - an antagonist of oxytocin.
Carefully attempt to  handle her teats. Just to intoduce her to the feel of hands, or milking cups on those teats. 
If she is not letting down..  Administer the "let down" injection, (which will upset her again!!) just prior to putting the cups on.
THE INJECTION is so she can associate being milked out with the comfort of having the pressure relived from her udder.
   This let down drug should NEVER  be used repeatedly.
 Next milking: Have  the shed environment very relaxed.  Don't give the drug unless you really really have to.                                             
Joint ill  /  Navel ill  in calves.: http://www.nadis.org.uk/DiseasesCattle/Joint%20ill%20calves/JOINTI.htm 
    Antibiotics are needed to treat joint, and navel ill. (Best see your vet!!)   Antibiotics can be a challenge to the young animal, as they can wipe out bacteria
  vital for the young's digestion.  Spraying the navel is simple, and it can save your animals life.                    
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   
Milk drinks for newborn lambs, goat & calves:           
   - As newborns; Kids, calves, lambs & fawn are all monogastrics, and their nourishment comes from milk. 
  They are "designed" to become plant /pasture eaters. Pasture is inexpensive compared to milk feeds. 
 The hand rearing of these young animals also includes aiding their rumen to develop enough so they can get all their nutriments from pasture.      
       *See further down the page for RUMEN DEVELOPMENT

In their milky diet:
Carbohydrates: (sugars, lactose) Are needed  to provide energy. They may be utilized immediately or stored for later use.
Fats:  For energy. For the proper functioning of the body.  It supplies "essential" fatty acids.
It serves as the storage substance for the body's extra calories, and helps insulate the body. It is a structural component of cell membranes.
Fat helps in the absorption, and transport through the bloodstream of the fat-soluble vitamins.
Protein:
Proteins are essential for growth and repair. Protein is made up of  amino acids.
They are essential  in many processes in the body.  Unlike carbohydrates and fats they cannot be stored in the body.
Taste: One correspondent had problems getting her lamb to drink.. Turns out; it didn't like the taste!!! 
Giving the lamb the tasty drink she then  swapped the "tasty" drink for the correct formula.  Next drink it happily took the formula.
Links:-  Re: raising healthy newborns on milk replacer. 
  -PDF on calf rearing (& milk replacer)  http://www.ravensdown.co.nz/NR/rdonlyres/E6D9CBAF-8854-41BD-ACE5-9FF9CF116298/0/CMRBrochureWeb.pdf
Calf & lamb rearing (in general)  http://www.ngahiwifarms.co.nz/cms/  
Calf & Lamb milk replacers:  http://www.ngahiwifarms.co.nz/cms/milk-powders/premium-calf-milk-replacer.html 
Milligans feeds:   http://www.milligans.co.nz/feed.htm   &   http://www.milligans.co.nz/news/NuStart9608.pdf   
Merricks;  http://www.merricks.com/pdf/milk_replacer_guide.pdf  
and   http://www.ehow.com/way_5417822_much-milk-replacer-feed-calf.html 
Sheep & goat:   http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/artificialfeeding.html 
Angora Goat-   http://jds.fass.org/cgi/reprint/75/6/1643.pdf
  http://www.britmilk.co.uk/calf_milks.htm

Probiotics,  - digestion helpers ..- plus  
 There are several preparations available on the market for young pre-ruminants.
Some help in milk digestion. Others help with the calf's essential intestinal bacteria flora.
Some are added to milk, others are given as a dose.
I have used one such product, and was absolutely delighted with the results.
The calves gained weight so well. Not one even slightly sick calf in the groups.  
           They maintained their weight advantage.
These products are available from the farm supplies retailers, or your vets.
* *They may be sold in larger containers making them expensive if just rearing a few animals. 
The Vets may be willing to sell smaller quantities, or you may be able to buy what you need  from a local farmer / user / rearer.
Acidophilus yoghurt: Is a probiotic. Some farmers give acidophilus yoghurt to calves when their calves are stressed.
It adds "helpful" intestinal bacteria, and  treats the overpopulation of unhelpful/bad bacteria in the intestines 
http://www.calfnotes.com/pdffiles/CN091.pdf     http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0908/S00127.htm  
http://www.donaghys.com/probiotics0.html#procalf  (see down for other species)   
http://www.provita.co.uk/about.htm 
http://www.biostart.co.nz/product.php?section_id=4&product_id=5&content=overview
 

  Calves.  Calves..  Calves... Calves...        
Looking for a calf lost in the paddock?
Like adults, calves turn their backs towards the bad weather.
Often they just keep walking and walking to get away from the weather. Try searching "down wind". 
Sometimes they'll manage to get nearly under an electric fence.. If they're ZAPPED when their head is under, they'll run like crazy in the direction they're facing.
Calves with a contracted tendons.
A calf born with a foot bent back does occasionally happen.
Basically it is because the tendon running up the back of it's foot is too short, and it cant straighten it's fetlock joint.
   Why does this happen?
It could be that the  shape of the uterus doesn't allow the foetus to straighten it's leg? Or could it be hereditary? or?
The leg needs to be straightened.
Manually correct the bend and encourage the calf to stand correctly helps.
Encourage the calf to walk.. observe how his leg copes when walking.. You may need to splint the lower leg so it stays in the correct position.
Use 2 splints. (something short and rigid) 1 on the outside, and 1 in the inner side. Bandage the splint on.. (if there is a chance the splint could rub, or pierce its skin.. perhaps bandage the leg to protect it.. then apply the splints. Get the calf to stand, then walk.. Take the calf for several walks during the day.
Check during the second day, as to how the calf copes without the splints.. Yu may have to reapply them. It will come right. Sometimes it takes time.
 Transporting calves:
 If you're using a trailer:  
Calves need shelter from cold wind and rain. The floor must have a non -skid surface. (If you have nothing else you can use, then spread some hay on the floor.) Do drive carefully.
      Discard this hay after use.
or Several times we transported 2 very young calves in the back seat of our car. (A 20 minutes journey.)
Each calf was placed in the plastic lining from a pellet bag, with their heads exposed. 
The plastic lining bag caught any urine, or faeces. My 2 sons had a calf each to hold.. The calves got their necks rubbed, and were cuddled by my kids.
When the new calf gets to your home: 
It's a new, and strange environment for your calf.  
Maybe it's just left its mother.  Travel can create stress for it. 
You can introduce it to its new surroundings by giving it a feed. 
Because a reflex -the oesophageal reflex - is involved in sending it's milky drink into the abomasum.. it's often best to help familiarize the calf to its new
"lifestyle" with just a warm electrolyte drink. 
This "first aid" electrolyte recipe is OK for this:
          1 teaspoon of salt. 1 teaspoon of soda bicarbonate, 2 teaspoons of glucose  dissolved in 1 ½   – 2 litres of warm water..
Lifting weighty calves:
As calves grow bigger, their weight increases greatly.. It is so important that you take care of your back.
Bend your knees and let your thighs (NOT YOUR BACK) take all the weight as you lift.
Or avoid lifting:
Remember - Where the calf's head goes (and it's front legs) the rest of the body follows!!  If you want to put the calf on a trailer eg (which is at a higher level !!) 
         Place the calf's front legs on the trailer, then push the calf on.
Want to rear a calf? 
Do you have the time to feed your calf? 
When its young it will need to be fed twice a day..
   - if one person only is responsible for feeding it: They will be aware of how it takes it's "solid" feeds.. 
They will rapidly become aware (& can treat) any health problems.
It costs a bit to hand rear a calf.  Often there is minimal profit. 
They grow  BIG?  Do you have plans when it is weaned? 
 Hand rearing: - A few things to budget for: 
Expenses: the calf, milk (or replacer). Starter pellets.  
1st timers may need feeding equipment, some bedding (untreated sawdust is fine) . Perhaps wire netting & standards to construct a makeshift pen. .
 If your calf is a bull; consider making it a steer while it's still a calf. Steers are easier to manage as adults than bulls.   

What is involved in calf rearing:
Shelter:
It must be thoroughly cleaned prior to housing your calf /calves. It needs to be spacious enough so your animal (s) can move around freely.
 Calves must be enclosed, (temporary netting fence / gated) This is so they cant escape and go wandering.. and get into all sorts of danger.
They need plenty of fresh air, & sunlight. AND be protected from the wind & rain.
Hay barns and implement sheds make good calf sheds.
Hay barns are often empty at calving time.    Implement sheds: Your can park implements outside. 
  These sheds are often positioned to keep the prevailing wind out. If they’re deep enough, the rain won’t get inside.  Just partition off an area to rear your calves.  ( eg waratah standards & netting.)
Make sure there is NO lead paint for calves to lick, or sharp areas  where calves can injure themselves.
Calf rearing sheds ect, need to be thoroughly cleaned before letting a calf into that environment.
Calf huts..
Temporary shelters ect: They need to be able to stay firm in the strongest of winds.  They're not recommended for very young calves. (Very young calves cannot digest grass)  They're great when the calf IS a little older.  It is an advantage if these huts can be moved around the paddock, giving a fresh patch of grass.
Calf covers:
They may be OK on a wet day. When the weather is changeable. a warm sunny day will have the calves sweating. 
For your older calves, choose a paddock with shelter trees.
When the calf rumen has developed; the rumen digestion provides warmth for the calf.
Flooring (or bedding):
The aim is to keep the flooring (or bedding as clean & dry as possible) 
Sawdust: (from untreated timber!!) Pictured on the left.
The urine drains away nicely. The sawdust needs to be raked frequently.
 It does provide a nice surface for the calf.  
Bark: Choose bark with the smallest of pieces.. But sawdust is preferable. 
Straw or hay:  Not good. They're excreting on to it.. you don't want them nibbling on it.!!
               The calf's faeces tend to glue the bits of straw together. Often the straw, & faeces will adhere to the side of the calf.    
Calf feeders:
Cleanliness is essential. (ie frequent washing of equipment.)   Bottles and teats are OK when the calf is very young.
Often the purchased feeders (with several teats) have valves on the milk end of the tubing. (non return valve)
This is handy when teaching a calf to drink..
-By squeezing the teat you can entice the milk up the tubing & into the teat.. Close the calf's mouth over the teat.
 Instantly it has milk trickling into its mouth.  Calves are often quick to learn...
The black calfateria (photo on the RHS) will feed 12 or so calves. You just need to place it where you need it: ..indoors, or out in the paddock.
The "legs" dig into the ground so the calfateria is steady. It can well cope with a group of big sturdy calves.
The feeder (sketched above left) Is designed to hang over railing.
Fresh water:
Calves need fresh water to drink. It really needs to be positioned where it cannot be contaminated by splashes of urine or faeces.
For rumen development:
Early wean / starter pellets : These also need to be positioned in a container away from likely urine and faeces splashes.
There is plenty of choice when it comes to buying "calf pellets" (sometimes called starter pellets) Read the labels on the containers, they often have additives.
 Choose a tasty feed. You may need to encourage your calf to try them at first.
Hay:
This can be placed in a loose weave holder, or several straws bundled together with twine. Secure the hay to the wall of it's shelter.
Very little persuasion  is needed to entice calves to nibble on hay.
Calves CAN  easily get   "tummy upsets":
One person only to feed the calves.
This is recommended. The person “in charge” can keep an eye on it’s growth & health.
If a calf becomes ill,  the calf rearer can immediately start treatment.    Early treatment of a sick calf is crucial.
Scours - in brief-
Scouring means -  diarrhea –it’s sometimes even called  “the squirts”)
 It is not uncommon in calves.      
Be aware-  It can be infectious.
A scouring calf must be separated from other calves.
The infection may spread to humans. Strict hand washing (or a disinfectant hand wash) is needed.
Start treating the calf quickly.
Treatment mainly consists of replacing the lost fluid & electrolytes excreted in its faeces.   Antibiotics are not recommended, as they can wipe out beneficial bacteria, thus making the situation worse. Often the calf can recuperate without a diagnosis being made.   
Veterinary clinic shops, and farm supply stock a range of electrolytes and scour treatments. – It is important to read the labels. (Some ingredients have a withholding time.)  
Keep to a regular feeding routine:
    Feed at regular times. Have the milk “about body temperature” each feed.
   This help minimize digestive scours, and bloating /acidosis.
Bloating / acidosis  in young ruminants:
    http://www.merricks.com/pdf/bloat.pdf  
    http://www.larounds.ca/crus/laveng_1104.pdf 
    http://www.calfnotes.com/pdffiles/CN113.pdf

Buying  a young calf:
 "4 day old calves" is a term New Zealanders use for very young calves on sale at the market.
The markets are usually held once a week: Therefore  a "4 day old calf" could be anything from 4 days to 11days.
By four  days the calf should have had adequate colostrum from it's mother.
It's bottom should be clean.
The navel should be dry. The remnant of the cord will be crinkled and dark.
There is merit in buying calves privately from a farmer who has high calf rearing standards. Perhaps you could chat to such a local farmer prior to the calving period, and make arrangements re purchasing.
If buying calves from the market:
Look for a calf that has healthy calf like energy,  a shiny coat, and bright alert eyes.
Buy only calves that have passed your stringent health check.
 Don't Ever:
Buy a calf if it is shivering, or coughing. 
Don't buy a calf if it has a navel infection, or it's knees are swollen.  Never !! buy if it is scouring.
Don't buy a calf if it's skin appears too big for it, and its hooves have a chewed appearance. < -That is a description of a premature calf.
Premature calves are often disadvantaged by being too immature to absorb colostrum, or it was born before its mothers colostrum was fully "made".
These premature calves have a lot of growing to do. 
Check the  calf  for signs of  ill health - thoroughly:
Look for signs of  scouring:
Look for a damp patch in the vicinity of it's anal area, or around it's tail.
Look on the ground, and observe it's faeces.
Never buy a calf if you suspect it is scouring.
     -By buying a sickly calf you're bringing it's bugs home to your place. (who knows what those bugs are) 
Check for signs of a navel infection:
 Use disposable gloves:
 Prod around it's navel area.
You are looking for a swelling, heat, and if it responds as though it has pain in that area.
 Check your gloves for moistness, and a purulent smell. 
Don't buy it if it has any infections.
 Look for any swelling in it's joints (usually it's knees) If the calf has joint ill, the symptoms may NOT show up till it is 2 weeks old, or more.
Look at it's hooves:
If the edges have a chewed off look, and  its skin looks loose - these are clues that it was born prematurely. (Macrocarpa can cause this)
Very very possibly it may not have the benefits of antibodies obtained from colostrum.
With out the immunity, a new environment can be a great challenge for it healthwize.
Its smaller size means it will take lots of feed to catch up on its ideal weight.
If it's skin looks too baggy for it's body, It's a premature calf... leave it.
Separate the new calf from your group of calves.
For the first few days..& keep a check on its health. 
Give is a drink of electrolytes (the first aid recipe below will do fine) when it arrives at your place.
(A different and strange  environment for your calf.  A new routine.
A perhaps frightened calf. Giving milk to an upset calf may just cause a digestive upset.)
 ..A diet for a calf..
These healthy weaned young stock are out on pasture..
If you can grow pasture well, it's the cheapest  way of feeding cattle.
A calf's diet needs to provide nutrients for growth, and health, and to develop the rumen.
          The Cost, and time involved, may influence your choice of rearing methods.
Feeding milk, or purchased milk powder:
This supplies the newborn with the required fat, protein, and lactose (sugar)
Feed = about 10% of the calf body weight. 
35kg calf = 3.5 litres.    or  45kg calf = 4.5 litres a day ect.
As young animal cannot drink such a large amount so  feeds are given 1/2 the total in the morning, and 1/2 in the evening.
Temperature:  about "blood heat".
Routine is essential.. feed the calves at the same time each day.
If one person only is "in charge" of feeding the calves, then any sick will be quickly noticed. (and isolated and treated)
Calves also need:
Fresh water:  Perhaps a fresh bucketful each day.. positioned away from splashes of urine.
Some form of "early wean " /"starter" pellets. (it's a good idea to choose pellets with an added coccidiostat.  
Some hay for the calves to nibble on.   (Perhaps stems tied in a bunch and attached to the wall of the shed.)
At about 2-3 weeks milk fed calves can be spend most of the day in the paddock.
 When releasing a group of calves to a paddock ... have your camera ready..
With tails high: They sprint, change direction, sprint again. (The bigger the paddock,
the more sprinting they'll do.)
Alas, they'll quickly learn about fences.. I cant think of anyway of teaching them other than letting them crash into a fence or two. If the fence has an electric fence; They learn about them also.
However.. Calves really enjoy their sprint, and their day out in the fresh air and sunlight. 
Once outdoors, and nibbling on pasture the calves can then be fed once a day.  It doesn't matter if calves are fed in the morning, or the evening.
 Quality hay, & early wean/starter pellets.
The early wean / starter pellets (that are offered to milk reared calves) are designed to help develop the calf's rumen.
The taste, and ease of eating will entice a calf to eat the pellets. ( Sometimes they may need to be hand fed to the calf just to get it started) Hay, even leafy hay, it is not as nutritious as pellets. But it does play a part in rumen development.
.   Helpful calf & lamb rearing websites:
 Ngahiwi farms:  http://www.ngahiwifarms.co.nz/    
Calf Rearing Profit Calculator  http://www.agrifax.co.nz/calculators/rpc.cfm
NRM website: http://www.nrm.co.nz/View.asp?InfoID=242  
Click on products, animal health, articles  or nutrition.
Harvey farms: http://www.harveyfarms.co.nz  
NZAgbiz Ltd:  Booklets are available re calf rearing and lamb feeding from RD1.
For product info 0800 809 011

When a milk fed (pre-ruminant / monogastric) drinks:
The food is taken into the mouth, and after swallowing it is transferred to the oesophagus.
Food moves along the oesophagus, and intestines in muscular waves called peristalsis. (Identical in humans) The stomach in adult cattle is divided into 4. The milk drinking newborn is really a monogastric (like us) and milk digestion takes part in the "4th" part of the stomach: The abomasum (or true stomach).

The Oesophageal Groove:
Milk passes by the rumen by the closing of the oesophageal groove.
This closing sends the milk into the abomasum.
When the calf is familiar with milk feeding routines the oesophageal groove closes by a reflex when the arrival of its milk stimulates it to close.  This reflex wont function properly in some situations:
A newly purchased calf . The surroundings are very different, and this upsets the normal reflex.  These calves will benefit from not being fed milk immediately. Some farmers give them a warm feed of an electrolytes when the first arrive at their "new home".

The Abomasum:
Rennin,(an enzyme) and the acidity of the abomasum help the milk form a clot in the abomasum.
The protein component in the clot solidifies, then contracts.
A liquid is squeezed out which then passes down to the intestines. The clot in the abomasum is then slowly digested by the enzymes pepsin and lipase.
Remains from this digestion become part of the next milk clot. In the small intestines which are alkaline, the liquid from the solid clot is further digested,
by enzymes from the pancreas, intestines, and gall bladder.
 

CALF REARING METHODS:
Nurse Cows: These calves usually do very well.
There is minimal labour involved. As you don't have the same contact as you do with a "hand reared" calf, the calf wont be as tame.  There is little expense - No buying milk replacers, or pellets. They copy their mothers and eat grass, drink water, and nibble hay.
The paddocks need some shelter from wind and rain.
Keep an eye on calves for:
Lactating cows need plenty of feed.
Weight gain. If the mother is a beef breed, a calf rapidly gaining weight means that the mother is ideal to breed from next season.
Poor weight gain, means the mother cant provide the milk, or is not getting sufficient feed.
If her diet is good, and calf weight gain poor, be aware this will most probably happen next season also. It's just her..
Observe the calves calf for signs of scouring. Observe the mothers udder for mastitis.
Because of minimal human contact, they may be wary of humans as calves get older .
Using a Dairy breed cow as a nurse cow.
These mothers have plenty of milk, in fact normally too much milk for just the one calf (add one or two foster calves)
Because she is required to feed these growing calves, she MUST have plenty to eat.
Keep an eye on "mother" and calves:
Watch her condition.  Don't allow her to get scrawny. She needs some condition to help her start in oestrus (cycling) again.
Watch her for signs of oestrus.
Observe the calves for scouring..
When the calves are bigger try separating her from the calves during the day, and allow her to graze in peace.
This also allows the calves to graze. They will drink less from "mother", and it will help their rumen develop. They can be returned to "mother" during the evening.
Rearing a group of calves:
Keep the equipment clean.
Give all calves the same opportunity to drink. Divide them in groups according to their size, or age (maturity/ experience!!)
If milk feeding through to weaning, consider using some form of additive
to the milk (eg probiotic) -available from vets, farm supplies stores)
Calfateria fed calves:
By using a "Calfateria" you can feed many calves at once.  (Calfateria's are available in all sizes and shapes!!)
  Picture: This calfateria is towed out to the calves by a quad bike. This one feeds about 24 calves.
There are many smaller calfaterias available, and even some larger ones available.
   These black teats, and non return valves make the calf suck, and this helps  the calf produce saliva. 
 Calfaterias need to be cleaned out each time after use.
Ad Lib feeding:
All you need is one large milk filled container and just a few teats. This way the calves can drink whenever they wish.
You'll need to:
Make sure calves are at ease with the teats and drinking from the container.
You'll need to keep the milk topped up.
The equipment needs to be kept clean.
They can have hay to nibble on, plus plenty of fresh clean water.
But the calves DO grow well.  Give them the opportunity to get out in the paddock as soon as you can. 
Follow the mixing instructions strictly for milk powders. This includes the temperature. Don't dilute milk powders, or milk, because this interferes with the essential clot formation. "Offer", and encourage them to eat early wean pellets,
"Early wean high protein pellet/meal reared calves":
If this is the first time for rearing your calves this way, seek the advise of a farmer who has successfully reared calves this way.
(Calf fatalities have occurred due to the rearer "presuming", or having little knowledge of nutritional requirements, and pre ruminants adaptation to new feeds.)
There are many high nutriment feeds available on the market.  www.ngahiwifarms.co.nz 
The aims of this method:
 Are for calves to receive their nutritional requirements in pellet form, which means milk feed is restricted at sometime during their rearing.
There are variations of this method of calf rearing:
Either allowing them to ad lib feed milk for about 4 weeks, while promoting tasty early wean pellets, (this encourages in the rumen a population of essential digestive microflora,) Milk feeds are discontinued and calves are then fed only the high protein pellets.
Or:
Eating pellets is really pushed, and their milk intake is restricted.
Feeding the pellets can continue till the calves are 10 or 12 weeks old..
Hay:
When using high nutritional pellets, the priority is for the calf to eat the pellets.
Hay/or straw is essential for  papillae, and rumen muscle health, in the development of the rumen.
Calves enjoy hay. However it does NOT have the nutriments the specialized pellets have.. Calves must not eat hay at the expense of more nutritious feeds.
Some say "feed some hay", others suggest delaying its introduction till calves are 4,or 6,or 7 weeks old!!
High protein pellet feeds may continue till the calves are 10 or 12 weeks old. Sheds with running water are essential. The pellets are dry, so calves require lots (and lots) of clean water. Position the container to avoid urine splashes.

How to foster a calf:
This works  quickest on a newly calved cow.
Smell: Wipe the placenta of a new calf over the calf you want adopted.
If a little older: Confuse her sense of smell with a perfume. Put a dab near her nostrils. (hairspray, aftershave, perfume) Put some on the calf also.
Keep them all very close together in a yard perhaps. Attempt to get the calf feeding from the foster mum. Reapply the scent if necessary.
I've known farmers to squirt iodine around her perineum on a cow who has calved quite recently. It should give the cow a stinging sensation, and fool her into thinking about a calf. (I'm really not sure if is helpful or not.)
Shoof International:  ( www.shoof.co.nz)  Sells 2 collars that are linked. The idea is that the when her own calf drinks, so
will the foster calf.    (I haven't seen this method work.. )
An awful lot depends on the cows mothering "feelings".
I've seen a cow with 4 calves feeding from her. (3 who had temporarily left their own mothers) and there were 2 calves waiting to get a teat!!!
We separated Mum from all calves but her own. Clearly she was bellowing out to all calves who could hear her to "have a suckle!!"
I've also known a cow to push the second twin away.
Ive witnessed mother duck walking with 10 young ducklings (in such a straight line) behind her.. and a cow.. an intelligent animal, has trouble with one calf.

WEANING milk fed CALVES:
Milk fed calves are fed milk twice a day till they are about a month old. During the first month they are encouraged to eat "starter"/"early wean" pellets, nibble
on some hay, and drink water.  (Pellets, hay and water all help in developing their rumen.)
At about 3 weeks of age.. on sunny days calves can spend the days in the paddock, where they'll nibble on grass.
At about 1 month old, they can spend most of their time in the paddock.. They can then have their total milk feed in the one feed.
(It doesn't matter if they are fed in the morning, or evening.)  Ideally the calf paddock should provide shelter for them..
Calves are about 2 months old when weaned, but they need to be a good weight for their breed.
Jersey calves: = 80Kg's.
Jersey Friesian cross: = 90 Kg's
Friesian: = 100kgs.
You must be satisfied that they have achieved adequate rumen development.
Coming up to weaning, you'll notice that their faeces colour changes to a dark green, and they'll chomp away at their cud.
Weaning is a major change for the calves:
They'll complain for the next 24 hours!!
Some farmers try reducing their milk prior to the day of weaning. This makes NO difference. DON'T ever water their milk down.
Do choose a fine day for weaning.
From weaning on, they are ruminants. They will gorge, regurgitate, chew their cuds, and then swallow again. They need plenty of water.
They will need protection from parasites in pasture:  http://2farm.co.nz/preventable-diseases.html
Try to avoid moving them from their calf shed/shelters the same day you choose to wean them.
Weaned ruminants need plenty of feed:
The rumen grows as the animal grows.
The rumen in a calf can be considered fully developed at about 6 to 9 months of age.
In a fresh leafy paddock calves are actually very selective in what they eat. They are growing, so they need plenty to eat.
Calves are really ideal for the 1st rotation in a new grass paddock.
Dehorning/disbudding:
Calves are done when they're still milk fed. Kids are usually disbudded at about a week old.
You can employ a contractor or a vet to do this  The vets have a method where the calf is given a relaxant, prior to disbudding.
Docking Lambs:
This needs to be done when the lamb is very young. It can be removed with a rubber ring, or an electric or gas heated docker. Leave sufficient length on the tail to cover the anal area (ram) and vulva (ewe). Castrating should be done at a very early age (rubber rings).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
 SCOURS !!   scours!    = calf diarrhoea
 If  ONE person only feeds the calves ..  then they easily notice a  change in a calf's health.
-The sooner treatment is started, the better the calf's chances are of survival.. (and calves can die from scours!)
Diseases can spread from one calf to another, and some can spread to humans.
Isolate  sick calves from healthy calves..
You'll need to keep young children away from sick calves. Wash your hands thoroughly after being with a sick calf.
If you need to use an esophageal feeder: This needs to be thoroughly washed before and after use.
I'll deal with the different types of infectious scours (and other diseases) at the end of this page..
 If you notice a calf passing watery faeces (stools, diarrhoea, "the squirts!!")
Your  fast action can get them back on the  track to  GOOD health..
 When scouring: They're rapidly loosing very essential electrolytes and fluid... their health can rapidly deteriorate.
In the early stages a scouring calf will take fluids from a teat. However..when their condition deteriorates they become too sickly to suck!! 
Scouring calves urgently need the extra fluids, and electrolytes.   (If there is an outbreak of scours in the group of calves you're rearing: perhaps you could chat
 to your vet. They may ask you to collect faeces samples for laboratory examination.)
FIRST  AID  ELECTROLYTE  RECIPE:
You can continue to feed the calf it's milk drink. 
The vets & farm supply stores sell "scour mixtures/medicines" "electrolyte mixtures" ect .. which are more "tailor made" for scours than this basic recipe..
I'd recommend: Use this recipe as  "first aid" until you are near a "store" selling a "tailor made" electrolyte mixture .

1 teaspoon of salt.
1 teaspoon of soda bicarbonate
2 teaspoons of glucose.
     a "pinch" of KCL (potassium chloride)-available from the chemist-
Add these, and dissolve into  1 1/2  - 2 litres of  "body temperature" water.
Don't skimp - rehydration is crucial. You can give the calf  several feeds of the 1st aid electrolyte mixture during the day.
-Just allow several hours to pass after the calf has had its milk feed.. So not to interfere with the digestion of its milk.
-You cant overdose the calf, because the calf  will urinate what it doesn't need.
-Don't use antibiotics, unless the vet suggests it.
The digestive system has lots of good & essential bacteria in it.. Antibiotics may wipe out some good bacteria.
Digestive /nutritional scours:  (caused by poor milk clot  formation)
* * Calves with nutritional scours do not have a high temperature.* *
If the milk clot formed in the abomasum is poor, a lot of milk will pass into the small intestine. Bacterial fermentation can then occur, and this can cause scouring.
It could be that the oesophageal groove is not closing:
Oesophagel groove closure is a reflex action: Irregular feeding times, a stressed, nervous calf, a calf in new surroundings, and even cool milk can upset this reflex.
Milk Substitute: Check that it  is fed at incorrect strength: If it is too diluted a clot will not form.
The abomasum may be inflamed.
Overfeeding:  Can lead to improperly digested food passing into the intestine.
The milk is acidified by partial digestion, and this does help reduce the bacterial growth. This does happen frequently.
Dehydration:
It is caused  by the loss of body fluids, and electrolytes. These are excreted when the calf is scouring.  
It IS very serious..
Give extra fluids & electrolytes as soon as you notice an animal scouring.
Dehydration - In summary:
The blood  thickens. The heart muscle, and skeletal muscles are affected.. It is more difficult for the heart to pump blood.
Urinary output drops or stops. (it appears clear or a yellowy colour in a healthy well hydrated calf)
Blood circulation becomes poor.
It's temperature drops, (it feels cold) and shock develops, and the heart may stop.
Fluid and electrolyte replacement is crucial.. If the calf's health has deteriorated, it may be too sickly to suck.
If the calf is too sickly to suck, fluids then may be given by an oesophageal feeder.
If it is very ill.. ask the vet.
The vet may sum up it's prognosis, and may or may not give fluids and electrolytes intravenously.
Acidophilus yoghurt:
This has been a popular treatment for "tummy upsets" for humans (young and old), and young animals for years.
 ~You can give it to your calves when they are healthy.~  
Its recommended for recuperating calves.
Some farmers give acidophilus yoghurt to calves when their calves are stressed.
It adds "helpful" intestinal bacteria, and  treats the overpopulation of unhelpful/bad bacteria in the intestines.
It has known to be helpful in treating rotovirus.
It may enhance the immune response.
                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                              Scours caused by Infections:
Websites about calf scours:
http://www.oakeyvet.com.au/Templates/StoryTemplate_Process.cfm?Story_No=1772&section=answers&specie=beef
www.calfnotes.com/pdffiles/CN021.pdf -
www.calfnotes.com/pdffiles/CN043.pdf
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/courses-jmgay/VMADCalfScours.htm  
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/dairy/facts/electrol.htm  
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetext/INF-BE_cca/INF-BE_cca01/INF- BE_cca0102.html
Ecoli. (Escherichia coli)
http://www.cattletoday.com/archive/2005/April/CT385.shtml 
Rotavirus:
http://www.cattletoday.com/archive/2005/April/CT385.shtml
Cryptosporidium & Cryptosporidiosis
*This parasite is found in many mammals: incl lambs, calves, kids and humans. 
Cryptosporidiosis is usually seen in calves between one and two weeks of age, and rarely in animals older than 4 weeks.
At 4 weeks most young animals will have some immunity. Cleanliness is essential in preventing this disease.:
Have calf rearing sheds thoroughly clean (commercial products are available) prior to allowing calves to use them.
Calf water supply should be out of the way of splashes.
Promptly isolate any sick calves. (Keep young children away from sick calves) Strict hand washing (or use a commercial hand cleaner) after handling a sick calf.
www.thedairysite.com/diseaseinfo/209/cryptosporidiosis - 
www.calfnotes.com/pdffiles/CN012.pdf  
http://www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/2006/Summer/cparvumhtm.htm 
Coronavirus: Scouring may occur in calves over 5 days old.
http://www.cattletoday.com/archive/2005/April/CT385.shtml
Coccidiosis in calves:
http://www.nadis.org.uk/DiseasesCattle/Coccidiosis/COCCID_1.HTM
and: http://www.thecattlesite.com/news/22040/calf-scours-prevention-is-the-best-cure
http://www.xlvets.co.uk/pdf%20files/Cumberland%20News%20Calf%20Scour%20Sept%202006.pdf
Salmonella:
This affects calves between 3 and 6 weeks of age. The scours are copious, and yellow, and sometimes bloody. It is often foul smelling, and worse, faeces, urine, nasal secretions, and saliva can be full of the salmonella bugs. Salmonella can survive in the environment for months. (It can be killed by direct sunlight) The calf can get extremely ill. Many calves die from Salmonella. While you remove the very sick calf from its group, then scrub your hands, boots, and change your clothes, think about your choices. Talk to your vet. Salmonella in calves is frequently fatal. Salmonella can spread to man. Calves that do recuperate unfortunately will often shed salmonella bugs in their faeces.
                                   ___________________________________________________________

 Whey:
 Whey can be used to treat scouring newborns. It is the watery liquid that separates from the curds in cheese making. Whey contains alpha-Lactalbumin, beta-Lactoglobulin. Plus amino acids. (Whey may be available in health shops, as it is often used by athletes.)
Apple cider vinegar:
(I've never used it) It apparently contains pectin, and therefore a useful aid for treating diarrhoea. It also contains lactic acid.
 The acidity inhibits the growth of 'bugs'. It is said to contain potassium.
Rennet:
This is naturally in the calf gut. (Rennet is added to warm milk to make junket, and is available in the supermarket)
 It's use  has been recommended for nutritional scours.  see www.renconz.com   
Kaolin and Pectin:
Separately, or combined. It is believed to attract the bacteria causing diarrhoea, and hold it.
Antibodies and Immunity:
Antibodies are large protein molecules which the animal produces to make any invading bacteria or viruses ineffective.
There is a particular antibody for each specific invading agent.
Antibodies are acquired by the animal producing the antibody following exposure to the invading foreign agent (antigen) some time previously.
Antibody information is then stored ready to produce antibodies if the antigen invades again. (This describes active immunity, and this is the way the
newborns mother has achieved her immunity. She "puts these antibodies into her colostrum'') The newborn receives the antibodies by "Passive Immunity".
Frequently the first exposure to an antigen may be by vaccination.
Basically a very very mild dose of the antigen is "given". Animals (and man) respond by producing antibodies specific to the antigen. . The antibodies produced, will be activated only if the "body" is invaded by that specific antigens in future years.

Navel ill:
Infected navels may be noticed in the calves first week. The navel area feels enlarged and painful. There may be a purulent smell, and on investigation the area is damp. In a more advanced state the calf may look very uncomfortable and appear unwell. To treat: Give antibiotic injections for several days. Treat the infected navel with disinfectants… Prevention of this disease makes sense.. Spray the navel with iodine as soon as you can after birth. Iodine will kill off any bugs, and help to dry the area. Provide clean bedding for calves.
Joint ill:
This is caused by the infection entering the infant's navel. Any bugs picked up by the navel will be transferred to the liver, then distributed around the body in the blood stream. (Sadly more so in colostrum deficient animals!!) Frequently these bugs congregate in the animals joints. Signs and symptoms of an infection appear at
about 2 to 4 weeks of age. Generally infected calves are lethargic, have an elevated temperature. They hesitate to move. A joint, or joints (mainly knee joints) will
become swollen, and hot. To Treat: Act as soon as you notice they signs and symptoms. A long course of antibiotics may help.
But really for your animal's sake the best idea is to get help from your Vet.
Joint ill  /  Navel  ill   in calves.:  http://www.nadis.org.uk/DiseasesCattle/Joint%20ill%20calves/JOINTI.htm  
Pneumonia:
Usually pre weaned calves will have some immunity obtained from colostrum. A "runny eye" may be the first sign.
This is a clear fluid discharge, and it leaves a damp mark on the calf face. A cough becomes noticeable: A chesty cough. Their breathing may quicken, Some sicker animals appear to have difficulty inhaling sufficient air, as they arch their backs, and have their heads down. These calves will have lost their appetite, and will possibly stand away from the group. They may have a raging temperature, and will be quite sweaty.
Pneumonia in calves: http://www.ukvet.co.uk/ukvet/articles/Cattle_calf%20pneumonia.pdf                                        http://www.milkproduction.com/Library/Articles/pneumonia_calf.htm
To Treat:
If signs and symptoms are mild, the animal will get over it without treatment. Isolate infected animals from the group. Antibiotics are usually used to treat pneumonia, but some pneumonia's are caused by viruses, and antibiotics are ineffective. Get your vet to visit any very ill animals. For sweaty animals, really encourage them to drink, and replace lost fluids. Try warm water and glucose drinks. Calf rearing sheds should provide shelter from the weather. They should also allow plenty of fresh air to circulate.
Calf NUTRITION: http://www.milkproduction.com/Topics/calves/Calf_nutrition.htm
CALF HEALTH: http://www.milkproduction.com/Topics/calves/calf_health.htm

Introduction
Small Farm Essentials  |	All About Pastures
Fertiliser  |	Seasonal Management
Behaviour: Cattle, Deer, Goats  |	Birth: Dystocia and Helping
Newborns & Calf Rearing  |	Metabolic Problems
Common Diseases: Treatment & Prevention
Preventable Diseases (in cattle, sheep, goats, and deer)

Email: small_farmer@hotmail.com
www.2farm.co.nz