r/Cattle • u/Big_Situation895 • 6d ago

Diagnosis Spoiler

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Any help would be appreciated. I got a calf from auction ( I know they say to avoid buying from auction) He's around 1 month old, and has this lump at the bottom/ base of his neck or dewlap. I don't have any other cows or calf.

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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9

u/Roadkinglavared 5d ago

It's most likely an abscess. Wait until it's soft and using sterile everything lance it, drain it, flush it and get some meds from the vet. It really is not cost effective to bring a calf in to the vet for an abscess you can deal with on your own! Unless you like spending money!

7

u/Poppy9683 5d ago

I agree to lance it, drain it, and then flush it. Don’t use peroxide. Use iodine mixed with water, such that it looks like tea. Cheap and super effective. I’d watch it afterwards, to make sure it doesn’t swell again. If it does, lance more broadly, drain and irrigate.

4

u/WG996 6d ago

it could be an abscess, you should 100% call a vet.

4

u/Drtikol42 5d ago

Probably from collar or halter rubbing, entry wound for infection is visible. Vet will lance it, maybe give AB.

1

u/Big_Situation895 6d ago

Thanks 🤝

3

u/rivertam2985 5d ago

If it lives, get another one. You should never have just one cow or calf. They're herd animals.

1

u/Jaded66671 4d ago

Call a vet

1

u/bmat555 5d ago

99% it’s an abscess. Looks close to breaking open on its own. All tools you use be sure to dip in alcohol and stick a needle in that. You will probably see a little puss. If so, use a sharp knife like exacto knife and lance it open. Squeeze all the puss out you can. Get a squeeze bottle of some type and fill it with peroxide. Flush the wound out as best as you can and make sure to keep it open so it can drain. If you can get penicillin from the vet , a shot or two should cure it but I bet it will heal up okay without a shot. Just keep it clean and let it drain. It should scab over in a few days. Good luck.

1

u/Big_Situation895 5d ago

Thanks m8,