steer calf stiff walking HELP

[Sterling]

my daughter has a steer calf weighing 880 we have been showing him for about a mt and a half.  He is walking all stiff in the back.. his legs just dont have any flex to them.  he has been on grain and hay but eating a lot of grain.  We had his hoofs trimmed about two mts ago .. i noticed it after the hoof trimming but not sure if i just didn't catch it or not.. we were not showing at that time.  Any ideas?  I'm a little concerned this is not something reversable.  My daughter is really upset. he is a great looking steer but just can't walk.  It cost her big time in the shows.  We have been giving him soem fluid flex to see if that help and someone else told us to cut back on the grain. I'm just searching for anwsers right now.  We have been showing for many years but this is a first for us.  any thought?

 

[Show Heifer]

Could have been the feet trimming, but I doubt it.
Founder from grain can lead to this, but usually they are sore on all four legs.
Do a search on spastic paresis. It is a genetic disorder that causes the back legs to become to straight for them to be mobile.  Generally, as the calf gets older and larger, the condition gets worse. It is not reversable.
Hope I am wrong, but.....

 

[Sterling]

Is it something that the vet could tell if it is spastic paresis?  It don't sound good after reading about spastic paresis... he does seem to walk a lot better on the ground .. dirt ... shavings ect.. it's when he is walking on concrete that it's really bad... looks like it's going to be a long summer!  I'll  see how things go in the next week and maybe call the vet to be sure.  Thanks

 

[advocate]

Sound like if u noticed it after the trimming that they got his toes to short and its gonna take some time before they grow out enough to give him ne flex

 

[DL]

Is it something that the vet could tell if it is spastic paresis?   It don't sound good after reading about spastic paresis... he does seem to walk a lot better on the ground .. dirt ... shavings ect.. it's when he is walking on concrete that it's really bad... looks like it's going to be a long summer!  I'll  see how things go in the next week and maybe call the vet to be sure.  Thanks

Yes your vet should be able to tell if it is spastic paresis -
Does he shift his weight on his back feet as he stands?
Does he swing his legs around when he walks - ie like they are "too long" to go straight so he swings them around?
Does he stand on his toes?
Does he use his tail for balance more than most other cattle?
Is he real wide standing in the front so he sort of reminds you of a tripod?

These are things associated with SP - it is a condition that I really hate...they will become progressively more crippled

this picture is a classic stance - it is easier to see on video but I just keep taking pictures of abnormal calves and never unloading them

sorry about your calf

 

[SouthWest]

If too much toe was taken off the hind legs, he will walk short strided.  Might have joint stress or minor infection in joints that a simple antibiotic can cure.  Have a vet take a look at him.  When it comes to feet and joints, sometimes an equine vet might have more experience than other types depending on the area you are from.

 

[SlickTxMaine]

Sterling,
    Please let me know what the vet says.  We had a good steer that started walking stiff shortly after a hoof trim also.  Did not connect the two until now.  He was solid and sound until the last 2 wks, and we had him trimmed about a month ago.  Used a different trimmer this time.  Just curious if that could have been the problem. 

 

[Sterling]

We had the vet here to look at the steer.  He don't think it is spastic paresis.  He is not really sure what is going on.  He gave him a shot of linco and mucie.  He does seem to be walking a bit better.  I am hoping it is the hoofs were cut to much.  I will see how he does later on today when we walk him and give everyone an update.  He was really tight that is for sure.  GOOD LUCK

 

[Show Heifer]

Thanks for the update. I hate it when people post a problem and then not let us know what they found out.
Hope the best for your steer!

 

[TYD]

Not sure if it's the same thing but my cousin had a feeder calf that was really tight through the back hips and legs he started to use a additive called sound advantage that he got from sullivans and noticed a diffrence in several weeks

 

[Sterling]

Yes we have heard of sound advantage and we may be putting an order in for some.  I wanted to wait and see what the vet said first.  Today he is walking better than yesterday so I am thinking the linco is working along witht he other shot.... I hope he continues to get better.  Thanks everyone for all the advice... It helps so much to see what others think.

 

[ia girl]

Did the vet tell you this was a one time for the shots or will you have to give them again?

 

[simtal]

welcome to the steer business folks...

 

[ia girl]

Do you have the exact spelling of the meds your calf was given?  I tried to google it but did not get any matches.  Thanks

 

[Sterling]

The shots that were given was lincomycin ( Spelling.. not right I don't' think) Linco is a anti-inflamatory shot... I am to call the vet at the end of the week to see if he thinks we should give him more shots.  the other shot was ... I believe a combo of selenium and a vitaman shot.  your vet should know the combo for mucie. Did you notice your steer walking like this after the hoof trimming?  thanks

 

[ia girl]

No.  We noticed it when we went to the Iowa Beef Expo.    I have always been at the front end of him and never watched how he walked.  What a shock I got.    Since the Expo we trimmed his feet.    The trimmer said it was in his hip.  I am afraid as he puts on more weight it is going to be harder for him to walk.    I am going to call the vet and see about the shots.    Nice calf to see  go bad.

 

[TaylorRaye15]

To TYD: What did they use for the stiffness in the calf's back legs because I have a heifer that has this problem.

 

[RidinHeifer]

Was it BoSe?  (bo-see)  it is a selenium mix

 

[obie105]

Ia girl have you had a Chiropractor look at him? Had some friends that had a bull slip and fall it was having a hard time getting around with his hip. They had a horse chiro work on him and he was better in just a few weeks. Something to think about.