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April 20, 2006 Snowstorm Causes Hypothermia in Newborn Calves This week’s storm that dropped a foot of snow in parts of the western Dakotas and eastern Montana has many ranchers dealing with hypothermic calves. Hypothermia is a condition caused by a low core body temperature. “Obviously, cold temperatures can cause the condition, but it is exacerbated by heavy, wet snow or cold rains,” says North Dakota State University Extension Service beef cattle specialist Greg Lardy. “These precipitation events cause the calf to lose its ability to insulate itself. Wind also adds to the problem.” Frozen ears and tails are common in these storms because the calves shunt their blood flow from their extremities to the core body, he says. Also, shivering is a natural response for calves trying to increase their body temperature. Ranchers may try warm-water baths, heating boxes and blankets to warm hypothermic calves. Lardy advises ranchers who use a warm-water bath to be sure to support the calf’s head to prevent drowning. Ranchers also need to monitor heating boxes and blankets to be sure they are not too hot. Heating boxes and blankets that are too hot can cause burns. “With late-spring storms, simply providing shelter and bedding will help most calves endure the storm, since temperatures should warm fairly quickly once the storm ceases,” he says. Lardy also recommends newborn calves receive proper levels of colostrum quickly to help them recover rapidly. ### Source: Greg
Lardy, (701) 231-7660, glardy@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
