What would you do with this calf’s leg

[tr250]

Born by itself 2 weeks old we thought it would come normal in a few days but it’s not. Nothing is broken and it can walk ok but will it get worse

 

[shumungus]

If its carrying weight on it and no pain it'll be fine. If it was mine I would like it outside in a small paddock with mum and keep an eye to make sure its sucking. I think it will come all right has just been lying a funny shape in the cow whilst being baked.

 

[sticky]

Is its spine kinked a bit/out of alignment?

 

[tr250]

Is its spine kinked a bit/out of alignment?

No it was just a bent leg but it’s making it walk funny and making it’s spine crooked

 

[Northeastfarmer]

If it ain’t broke there not a lot you can do, it’ll either come right or it’ll be a knacker job

 

[Stewartry hill]

Had one like that unfortunately got worse.but would not shoot it yet.

 

[Fake it ‘til you make it]

My brother had a BBX Fresian that came out with two bent front legs. It was never good on its legs, but they got it fat at 18 months and it went in the freezer.

 

[shumungus]

No it was just a bent leg but it’s making it walk funny and making it’s spine crooked

Looking at it again if you straightened the bad leg a bit it might take the bend out of its back and teach it to walk straight. I would try a full splint on the leg to see if it would straighten it a bit. If there is no bone deformation you are just looking to stretch muscle and tendons to get it back to shape. For splints we use split 3 inch down pipe, pipe insulation and sticky bandage.

 

[shumungus]

A previous client, badly over on its pesters, splints on for a week cured it.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

A previous client, badly over on its pesters, splints on for a week cured it.

That’s not the same as the OPs though...loads of calves have front legs like that and come right

 

[shumungus]

That’s not the same as the OPs though...loads of calves have front legs like that and come right

I understand that but just trying to show an example of splinting as I have seen calves ruined with bad splints rubbing holes in them, getting infections or cutting off blood supply etc. you can end up with a bigger problem than you started with. Theres not much give in two bits of brush shaft wound tight with bale tape.

 

[wb00090]

Agree with most of the above time and see. We have done something similar to what they do in foals which is to place an lateral hoof extension for a deformity that is outwards which has worked well. Best to contact your vet before doing that however as if its ligamentous not bony then splinting/correction can do more damage than good. If he's sucking and managing otherwise as said above sometimes it is best left.

 

[Beames]

Born by itself 2 weeks old we thought it would come normal in a few days but it’s not. Nothing is broken and it can walk ok but will it get worse

I had an Angus calf born the same a week ago. Had the vet out for something else and got him to take a look. He said give it some time and see how it goes. Was skipping about the field today quite happily.

 

[tr250]

I had an Angus calf born the same a week ago. Had the vet out for something else and got him to take a look. He said give it some time and see how it goes. Was skipping about the field today quite happily.

This one is sucking and ran round the yard to the pens for de horning and is fine but it seems to be making it’s back funny now didn’t want it to get worse but I think we’ll turn it out and see

 

[le bon paysan]

Had 1 the same years ago. It got to 10 months old and then started to be difficult to get about but at 390 kgs live it went in the freezer. Carcass was 260 kgs.

 

[JSmith]

Had one two years ago looked like it had dropped its hip, vet said might come right run it on, got worse if anything, got to twelve months old, had the rspca in the yard one day about it, next day I shot it!! Last year had one born with the top of its shoulder blade missing, got to six months an I had a job for it to go on the hook, two days before pick up day I found it dead in the field