Blindness in cattle

SKF · Jun 3, 2009

The other day we had a calf born that weighed 33lbs and is blind in one eye. I know the size came from his dam being in bad shape. She was an exshow heifer that when she was turned out fell apart big time. So she looks awful. This is her first calf. I am getting a vet out next week but until then I was wondering besides an injury what could cause the blindness in the one eye. Could it be something genetic or hereditary? Thanks for info!

worthabit · Jun 3, 2009

SKF said:
The other day we had a calf born that weighed 33lbs and is blind in one eye. I know the size came from his dam being in bad shape. She was an exshow heifer that when she was turned out fell apart big time. So she looks awful. This is her first calf. I am getting a vet out next week but until then I was wondering besides an injury what could cause the blindness in the one eye. Could it be something genetic or hereditary? Thanks for info!

We had a calf born blind in one eye this year and the vet said that in newborns, polio is the most likely bet. He gave it thiamine and B12 (don't remember the dosage) and said she had a 50/50 chance. A week later she started to tremor and died.

GoWyo · Jun 4, 2009

Possible BVD case. You may want to test for persistent infection by taking an ear notch of the calf and sending it through a vet lab.

Shady Lane · Jun 4, 2009

Not to be alarming but I agree with GoWyo, can be a sign of BVD.

Definitely worth sending in ear noches to find out.

DLD · Jun 4, 2009

Had one this spring born blind in both eyes (first time I can recall that happening). Had a vet look at him, and though he didn't take any samples for tests, he declared it to be "just one of those things". Don't know about the BVD thing, but the calf is very healthy and active, great appetite and so on...

GoWyo · Jun 4, 2009

With the heifer going downhill as described and having been hauled around, I would test for BVD. Hope it is not, but it is good to know and cull if it is there.

SKF · Jun 4, 2009

If it was BVD would the calf act sick? Other then being blind in one eye and being very small he is very active and appears healthy.

LN · Jun 4, 2009

We had a blind calf many years ago because of a Vitamin A deficiency.

Blindness in cattle

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