Vaccinate all calves between 1 and 4 months of age for blackleg, a widespread and costly disease affecting young cattle. If an outbreak occurs before calving has been completed, calves may have to be vaccinated at birth. The first symptom is a watery discharge down the sides of the face. If left untreated, the eyelid swells and mucous membranes appear red. Later, the eye takes on a milky appearance and a grayish ulcer appears on the cornea, temporarily blinding the animal.
Permanent blindness can result.
If any show symptoms of the disease, put them in a darkened barn or use eye patches to reduce the stress from sunlight. Antibiotics in powder form can be puffed into the eye, but the calf needs to be restrained to insure that the medication gets into the eye. Continue treatment for a week or more until all discharges cease. Ulcerated eyes require prompt treatment by a veterinarian. Creep Feeding Creep feeding is not a replacement for rapid growth potential, good milk production in cows or improved pastures to produce the well-grown, muscular calves that cattle feeders are looking for.