Double Vision Heifer with Trouble Walking

Help Support Steer Planet:

Haynes Livestock

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2009
Messages
102
Location
Dobson, NC
I have a heifer that is struggling off her back legs. She wants to swing them around fairly bad. When she gets in a tight spot & has to turn around she almost goes down on her back legs at times. She also trips occasionally as she really doesn't get her feet off the ground very well. Her front legs are fine. Has anyone heard of Double Vision calves being this way, or have you seen anything like this? Dexamethasome didn't really help and it is not a selenium deficiency. Any thoughts are welcomed! She also has a dip between her vertebrae in the thoracic region.. I didn't know if it might be a problem with her spinal cord that is causing neurological problems in her hind limbs. Thanks!
 

Pleasant Grove Farms

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 19, 2011
Messages
199
how old is this calf?
a picture would help us to better see it also....

I'm thinking it sounds like a genetic problem that is fairly common with show cattle
where their back legs are too posty or straight, have little flex, the animal is heavily
muscled almost bound by muscle which also causes less ability to flex....

but more info would be good!
 

frostback

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 7, 2007
Messages
2,068
Location
Colorado
Use the search feature on here and search "spastic paresis"  there are some old posts with photos. See if they look like your heifer.
 

twistedhshowstock

Well-known member
Joined
May 2, 2011
Messages
758
Location
Nacogdoches, TX
I would agree at first that it sounds like a typical super thick, str8 legged show calf...which I dont think would be unheard of with Double Vsion, but that shouldnt make her almost go down...it very well could be Spastic pareisis.
 

OLD WORLD SHORTIE

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Messages
813
Location
TX
well clubby shorties are known for that, Double Vison and Double Stuff make great steers just not to most structurally sound females. If she makes it through alright breed her back to a trump bred bull and that should start fixing her.
 

Telos

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 4, 2007
Messages
2,267
Location
Dallas, Texas
She probably has SP but I don't think Trump genetics can correct this (even if she is sound enough to breed), as he too can be a part of the culprit.
 
Top