Calf bent at knees

[sjewart]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/KZyziK96ij34PYFJ8

So above is a video of my 6 day old bull calf. Happy to see him on the move today but he runs bent at the knees so probably not doing him any good! His knee joints aren't hot and he was born like this - just not improving, seems to be getting worse. He stands with head down and shoulders hunched but he's not sick.

Appreciate there's not much I can do as I don't have access to a field until March. He was given vitasel at birth so I think it's just a case of wait and see?

 

[Pistonbroke]

We had one like it a couple of years ago and vet gave an overdose of alamycin. Apparently relaxes the tendons. Trouble is I can't tell you how high a dose

 

[sjewart]

We had one like it a couple of years ago and vet gave an overdose of alamycin. Apparently relaxes the tendons. Trouble is I can't tell you how high a dose

Thanks - did the calf come right?

 

[ilyria]

Not a calf but I had a foal born like this a couple of years ago. She straightened up by time she was about a month or so old.

 

[Sharpy]

We have had a couple like this in the last ten years or so, dad bandaged their legs then used some downpipe cut in half to form a splint (applied from the back of the leg) and bandaged it on. The first bandage is to prevent chaffing. Comes right after a week or so.

 

[milkloss]

If it’s both legs and he’s getting about on his feet and not knees then I would leave him. One leg fine but splinting both at the same time is a no go imo.

 

[sjewart]

The calf's legs seem more bent after he's been charging about so I wonder if that's making him worse.

Both legs are bandy. Surely you have to splint both?

 

[milkloss]

I think they’ll straighten naturally but then this is nature: anything could happen.

Splints are a bit of a faff.

 

[M-J-G]

The calf's legs seem more bent after he's been charging about so I wonder if that's making him worse.

Both legs are bandy. Surely you have to splint both? View attachment 771364

I wouldn't touch him, he is on his feet, he'll be fine.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Had loads like that...will come right in time as he gets stronger

 

[sjewart]

Had loads like that...will come right in time as he gets stronger

Even though he seems more bent after running around?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Even though he seems more bent after running around?

I’m usually more bent over after I’ve been running about....

 

[Pistonbroke]

Thanks - did the calf come right?

Yes perfect but no one will ever know whether is was just time or the treatment

 

[sjewart]

Yes perfect but no one will ever know whether is was just time or the treatment

Do you recall how old the calf was when he got alamycin?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Do you recall how old the calf was when he got alamycin?

Alamycin won’t do fanny Adams to his bent legs

 

[Cab-over Pete]

We’ve got a lamb the same, plus the front feet are a bit turned over sideways too.

And she also has one ear smaller than the other with a permanent crease in it.

Apart from that, she’s beautiful!!

 

[Skintagain]

Was it pulled out?

 

[oilymuck]

We’ve had a few like this all born to Lodge hamlet but only when crossed onto a blue cow
All improved with time except one which went stiff all over and had to go

 

[sjewart]

Was it pulled out?

Aye but it wasn't much of a pull [emoji848]

 

[sjewart]

We’ve had a few like this all born to Lodge hamlet but only when crossed onto a blue cow
All improved with time except one which went stiff all over and had to go

That's interesting. My calf's dam is a Lim x (black coloured). Any idea how long the rest took to come right? Sorry to hear you had one that didn't.