Bull Calf not standing

[Tim Watson]

Yes they are straightening a bit. I am hopeful that he will grow out of it.
I will take some more, hopefully better ones, today to show you.

[B.Netti78070]

I haven't posted on here for awhile since I'm in the US and don't want to intrude.
While it is very doubtful that the condition of Mr. Watsons bull calf is "Fawn Calf Syndrome" (CA) to me there seems to be some similarities.
All the best to you and your calf Mr. Watson.

I have attached a a video of an affected Angus calf, plus an article about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUt5fQ_3L20, seems this video is not working for you, try this:
http://purduephil.wordpress.com/2009/02 ... -syndrome/

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/l ... e/ca-angus

Barb

[helena]

I have a calf in the front field like that only it was his front legs ,had one before with back legs with the commercial cows I put it down to large calves not much room .We look after them to make sure they get milk either bottle or mum and put them in the field as soon as possible exercise does the trick a week or two of trying to follow mum releases the tendons etc.
We have just started using a wonderful product in liquid form B12/colbalt and copper added to water ,the condition change in the commercial cows is great they are now making the best of the food they eat ,even the fattening cattle are making the most of their feed.

[Rob R]

What's the product name Helena?

[Duncan MacIntyre]

I think the exact cause of long bone / limb deformities can be very difficult to be certain of on an individual basis, and probably needs hands on examination and detailed history to help. It can be dangerous to speculate especially with potential genetic defects, as this gets everyone in a tizzy.

I am not aware of any diagnosed cases of the fawn calf syndrome in UK, but would be happy to hear from anyone who has serious concerns. This is the sort of subject that a genetics or animal health committee of DCS council could look at, but of course council decided there was no need for such a committee.

Duncan

[B.Netti78070]

It certainly was not my intent to have folks speculate about CA having anything to do with Dexters or having cases of the fawn calf syndrome in UK.
I only saw a few similarities with the calves back legs. I understand however how this cause speculation.

This is the sort of subject that a genetics or animal health committee of DCS council could look at, but of course council decided there was no need for such a committee.
Duncan

I have also tried here in the US to have the board task our genetics committee to receive samples of "possible" problematic animals. They too felt there was no need.

My apologies for any unrest I may have caused.

Barb

[Saffy]

When we used to have a reasonable sized dairy herd, calving about 125 a year - about once a year we would get a large calf....I think it was always a bull calf, that had legs like this. We would stretch the legs back and fore a bit the first day or two by hand until it could stand unaided, after that there would be a natural, gradual improvement by normal walking after Mum. It wasn't anything anyone was ever concerned about and we assumed it was lack of space before birth.

Stephanie

[Broomcroft]

Any progress Tim?

[Tim Watson]

He is looking a lot better and legs have straightened out in both planes. He'll be turned out today

[wagra dexters]

Hi All, this looks just like contracted tendons. In the past we have had it in calves and foals and have always thought it to be a deficiency. Today we injected 30 spring calvers with B12S (ie with selenium) and we use mineral licks at all times. We have been injecting B12S pre-calving for several years and it does seem to have sorted out the problem for us, or maybe just pure coincidence. Our area is particularly selenium deficient, among other things, like iodine etc.
Margaret

[Duncan MacIntyre]

Recent thinking in the horse world here suggests that use of oxytetracycline, not as an antibiotic, but to bind calcium, is of use in contracted tendons in foals. I have yet to have an opportunity to test it out in calves but may well do so with the next case I see.

Duncan