CONTRACTED OR LAX TENDON OR KNUCKLING OVER OF NEWBORN CALVES: MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT
This is otherwise known as contracted tendons (knuckling over) or the complete opposite – lax tendons where the back of the fetlock is touching the ground. Occasionally a calf is born with crooked legs, lax or contracted tendons or some other abnormality that may need care. Some situations straighten on their own with time and exercise, while others require intervention, and some defects are so severe the calf must be euthanized. In other situations a newborn calf may suffer a fractured limb, which needs to be cast or splinted to ensure proper healing.
After an uneventful gestation and a normal delivery, if cow delivers a calf.
As he struggles to his feet, you’re shocked to see his legs aren’t straight.
The problem appears to be from his front knees down. The joints seem either too
tight or too loose; the calf may even be standing on the fronts or backs of his pasterns.
Both these conditions signify that the tendons that control muscle movement— exion and extension—are either contracted or lax. Contracted Flexor Tendons is the most common congenital abnormality of cattle. Lax extensor tendons are also very common.
DIAGNOSIS—-
At birth, front leg joints are bent in the wrong direction forwards or backwards. The joints are not locked or rigid, but are either too relaxed or too constricted. Gentle manual exion does not cause undue pain.
CAUSES
There are four possible causes. Most cases are genetic in origin; both parents must be carriers of a recessive gene. The calf’s position in the uterus may also a ect the degree of disability. Some cattle breeds known for large calves (such as Belgian Blues) have an extremely high occurrence of tendon problems. Also, the dam’s consumption of toxic plants during pregnancy can cause this and other congenital abnormalities.
Nutrition has not been implicated; however, it is important to consider other conditions that may resemble tendon problems. The calf should be evaluated for signs of White Muscle Dis-ease, Weak Calf Syndrome, and Arthrogryposis. Consult your vet to learn how to identify the symptoms.These conditions are rare but life-threatening and require immediate care.
TREATMENT –
Most cases are mild and self-correct as the calf exercises. Daily improvement is usually seen and the condition resolves within a few weeks. Frequent manual extension of the joints to stretch the tendons, ligaments, and muscles aids in treatment. If the calf is putting pressure on other areas of the legs, inspect them frequently for abrasions that may cause secondary infections. Keep him with his dam in a protected pen with a soft surface.
If the calf can’t walk or stand to nurse, consult your veterinarian. He or she may recommend temporary splints. They will support the calf’s legs and force him to bear weight on his toes. However, splinting does not allow the tendons to strengthen and will delay progress. The splints can be constructed from a PVC pipe cut in half lengthwise. Smooth the edges. Pad the splints and wrap carefully so the circulation isn’t impeded. Remove the splints daily to avoid pressure sores and allow the calf to exercise his legs.
A plaster cast may also be indicated in some cases. Your vet may decide to perform corrective surgery if improvement is not seen in several weeks.
To encourage healing of contracted tendons on their own, keep the calf area well bedded and be ever-vigilant of pressure sores developing on the front of the fetlock from rubbing as the calf walks. If this occurs a protective padded bandage needs to be applied. Every time you see the calf, help place the foot in the natural position and over time in 95 per cent of the cases the problem will resolve.
Another problem with splints is pressure sores can develop and movement is greatly restricted. This restriction may make it hard for the calf to stand or suckle, predisposing it to other infectious problems.
The front of the toes can be rasped a bit so long as they do not continually catch on the ground. This tips the toes in the right direction and with time and exercise the condition often reverses.
In foals with contracted tendons tetracycline antibiotics are given intravenously. The theory is the antibiotics bind up the calcium, reducing the growth of the long bones,
With severe contracted tendons (the ones where the foot is bent 90 degrees underneath), surgical intervention may be necessary. A local anaesthetic is applied and a small incision is made over the tendons. An instrument called a tenotome (like a thick scalpel) is used to partially sever the tendons to bring the foot around. The veterinarian must be careful not to overdue the cutting and have the toe become overextended and the opposite problem develops. The leg is still left slightly contracted and over time this will stretch and resolve. This is obviously a veterinary procedure.
Calves with these contracted or lax tendons have difficulty rising and standing so be absolutely sure they suckle quickly and get the first feed of colostrum within the first six hours of birth. Some pairs may need to be isolated so you can keep an eye on the calf for a few days but most times you will be rewarded for your efforts. The majority of these calves will go on be very viable calves so a little time and patience initially will often result in a very satisfactory outcome.
Reference-On request.
