DL said:
linnettejane said:
im not voicing an opinion either way, but was thinking....
so farmer/producer/cattleman has dead or defective calf...instant financial loss...and then should invest more money into a dead or defective calf by having a vet out to draw blood, take xrays, or ship parts or whole of calf...im wondering how many just pass...
just thinking out loud...
yes, this is an issue, asking someone to store a dead calf in a cool environment or freeze next to the strawberries (oh that will likely go over well 
is a certain way to not get the calf; not having an immediate response to someone willing to ship a dead calf is a certain way to not get the calf; not immediately offering to pay to have the calf shipped is a certain way to not get the calf. People have different levels of what they want to do, can afford to do and are willing to do...during the PHA gene hunt one breeder drove his dead PHA calf for more than 8 hours so that Dr B could have it - this turned out to be very important as it was the first time it was noted that the lymphatic system was not properly developed in these PHA calves. Other people had TH calves that they buried because the system was so onerous ...so
this is what I would do if the calf was dead
-sample from ear (chunk about 1 x 1 inch is plenty)
-sample from dam (if you can bleed her - yes do it; if not use pig ear notcher to get a sample)
-take pictures
-pedigree
-send all to Dr B
if calf is alive
-ear notch calf and dam (if you cannot draw blood)
-pictures
-pedigree
-send to Dr B
The more complicated it is the less likely people will participate; this will cost you (generic you) a little time and the cost of sending the samples - pretty cheap if it helps to identify a mutation you don't want to have in your herd
that seems much more "cost friendly" to tack on a loss than what the association put out...last time i had xrays done, and actually of the back foot, but due to an injury, it cost me $300! and the impression i got from reading the report was it was "necessary" to have xrays to fully document.
also, is the contact info made available for the dr.'s @ the universities? or do they give it to you when you call it in to the association? or is it in one of the other pdf's
just hypothetically speaking, if a person like myself had a defective calf (which i have not) , and just reading the report put out by the assoc., i would have to have a vet do most of the work. pretty much the only thing i could do would be provide pics and pedigree. dont know how to draw blood, xrays, no way of freezing a calf, no clue how to wrap the thing or prepare it for shipping, etc.....which i could see easily reaching the $500+ range...for a dead/defective calf...
just posing some questions/thoughts i think others might be wondering about also......
from the asa
"Reporting Abnormal Calves – Digital Sublaxation (DS)
As we continue to characterize and engage potential problems, it has become necessary to request
assistance from breeders for collecting information and reporting the occurrence of a non-lethal skeletal
abnormality referred to as digital subluxation (DS) (Figures 1 & 2). This request is in response to seven
cases suspected to have digital subluxation during the past two years. The calves have been reported from
herds distributed across the United States. They are normally born alive and most can walk, suckle and
survive. The phenotype in some cases is subtle (Figure 1), yet more pronounced in others (Figure 2) and
hence the condition may not initially be recognized. As the figures illustrate, some calves only exhibit the
anomaly in one rear leg; in others both rear limbs are affected. Some calves exhibiting this condition have
improved in mobility over time, yet others have been euthanized due to worsened mobility. A distinct
outward curvature to the rear pasterns has been noted in all cases, though the severity of the skeletal
curvature is quite variable. Incorrect placement of the rear dewclaws has also been observed. Front limbs
appear to be normal at birth, as well as rear leg structure from the hocks upward. Additional structural
problems may develop as the animal tries to compensate for the luxation of the digit and resulting
lameness. Calves are reported having poorer growth performance, but this could be solely due to the
reduced mobility of the animals with the condition. As of yet, the cause of this condition is unknown.
Thus, reporting of additional calves is essential for understanding the basis of this abnormality.
Reporting Calves. To further the research on this condition, we urge you to report any cases immediately
so that we might obtain samples for examination. Calves can be reported to Patrick Wall
(
[email protected] 402-658-4258) at the American Shorthorn Association. Anyone willing to submit
an entire animal can ship the frozen sample to Dr. David Steffen at the University of Nebraska for
examination. DNA samples (blood tubes) of the affected calves should be sent to Dr. Jon Beever at the
University of Illinois.
Digital images of the affected calves are helpful and AP radiographs (X-rays) of
both rear feet are necessary to fully document the condition.
"
