back legs on calf

[librarian]

I wonder if there is something wrong with this calf? He is completely unlike any calf I've had from the same genetics. Very short, very stout walking stiffly from day one and usually with a slight limp on one back leg. His joints seem enlarged, but his legs are so short and thick and hairy its it's hard to tell. Almost like there is some slop in the joint when he puts weight on the leg.
Also a runt compared to his contemporaries, although he may weigh more than they do just from density.
Keeps up with the herd. Seems healthy otherwise. Maybe arthritis? Sire tested TH free, nothing similar from the cow side.

 

[OH Breeder]

I have seen calves with systemic infection from navel infection. It settles in their joints for some reason. There use to be a protocol for treating it.
As far as his composition- the more you concentrate your genetics some animals may display certain traits you may find undesirable others may find desirable. He looks stout. Hard to tell size wise how he compares to a calf his age. If you had a group together same birthdates. How old is he in his picture?

 

[librarian]

He is one month old. Here he is with one that is a week or so younger. I'll ask the vet about the joints and see if it's too late for an antibiotic. I thought of that infection thing, but he seemed to get better so I put him out on pasture. Now I see he is just not outgrowing whatever his problem is. He looks dwarfy to me.

 

[librarian]

Or is he just a throwback to this type?
Did this type look similar to him as calves? Is his stature classic pud?
I think we should discuss our failures as much as our successes in order to learn.
The calf is from a sire daughter mating, 3/4 Shorthorn, 1/8 Galloway, 1/8 Angus.

 

[Duncraggan]

Or is he just a throwback to this type?
Did this type look similar to him as calves? Is his stature classic pud?
I think we should discuss our failures as much as our successes in order to learn.
The calf is from a sire daughter mating, 3/4 Shorthorn, 1/8 Galloway, 1/8 Angus.

Another genetic defect?

 

[librarian]

Well, perhaps it's an old defect that no one cares to acknowledge. I know everyone loved Kelburne Great Event, but look at him...does he look normal?

 

[Okotoks]

Kelburn Great Event sired some bigger bulls bit I think the size usually came from the dam, for example Remitall Captain Jim. As far as I know the Kelburn cattle were quite small so if you linebreed to Kelburn you could downsize rapidly sometimes. I think OH Breeder might be right about the joints being swollen due to a systemic infection which would definitely affect the growth as well.

 

[librarian]

Thanks for the input. He is walking better, and even though I feel he is not a practical phenotype, chances are he is just a throw back and not a drawf. It's not as though he isn't growing, his growing pattern is just completely different anything I've seen. I have to admire how wide he is even if he is comically short.

 

[librarian]

He's starting to catch up!