Calf deformities at birth are caused by a wide range of issues, including physical, nutritional, infectious, and genetic. Some remain a mystery.
Alex Roberts, from Garston Veterinary Group in the South West, looks at some of the more common deformities and how to manage these animals calving and what considerations need to be made post-calving.
See also: Step-by-step guide to avoiding losses at calving
Flexor tendon contracture
What is it?
One of the most common deformities, flexor tendon contracture is when the calf has an inability to fully straighten one or more of its joints (most commonly fetlock or carpus). One or multiple limbs can be affected.
Causes
Most are caused by mal-positioning or overcrowding in the uterus, generally with a large calf or twins.
In rare cases, it can be genetically inherited and linked to other deformities including cleft palate, dwarfism, and arthrogryposis (legs twisted and fused at unusual angles). It is therefore worth examining to check for these other abnormalities.
Advice
Your first step should be to check if the calf is able to suckle, particularly if they’re struggling to walk, and supplement with a bottle or tube feed, if necessary.
Early treatment is essential, as the contracted tissues become less responsive to being stretched over time. Make sure the calf is on adequate bedding to reduce skin abrasions and call your vet to discuss the best treatment. A splint or cast may be necessary, depending on severity.
Dwarfism...
Read Full Story: https://www.fwi.co.uk/livestock/husbandry/calving/5-calf-deformities-causes-and-what-to-do
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