Spastic Paresis? Need help....

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frostback

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Feb 7, 2007
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Colorado
Yes, Spastic Paresis, his show career is over. I would put him in the freezer and fast. Looks to be in pain. Sorry.
 

Woody

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Feb 17, 2010
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Ithaca, MI
No doubt. I had one born and thought I hit it big. By weaning he walked like that. Sorry to see that happen to you.
 

knabe

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Hollister, CA
i don't know if this is apparent in moderate form when young, but if it is, it may manifest itself in not covering their tracks.

don't know, haven't seen one in person.
 

jbzdad

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Jan 21, 2009
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southwestern Kansas
yep  the cowboys call them "swingers"  we had one a couple years ago... breaks your heart... what is your calf's breeding?ours was a witch doctor, power flex, top shelf
 

mooch

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Apr 10, 2008
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IOWA
knabe said:
i don't know if this is apparent in moderate form when young, but if it is, it may manifest itself in not covering their tracks.

don't know, haven't seen one in person.

Some may be  a little straight , some there is absolutley no evidence at all when they are young.But when they get it you know it.Gets worse and worse and keeping them around hoping they get big enough to salvage a carcass with some more weight won't yield the results you want. The calf's time at the bunk will keep dwindling due to the discomfort.So the sooner you process him the better it is for you and him.
 

OH Breeder

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Feb 14, 2007
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Ada, Ohio
suggest you eat that one ASAP. The local butcher here said it is a federal law that if an animal cant get up and walk off the trailer they have to destroy it on the spot and notify the authorities. Get it killed while its walking. We had one couple years ago. She was 6 months old and I had her butchered. She walked off the trailer but it was tough going.
 

HGC

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Minnesota
frostback said:
Yes, Spastic Paresis, his show career is over. I would put him in the freezer and fast. Looks to be in pain. Sorry.

Frostback is exactly right.  It is Spastic Paresis, he won't get any better, and he won't gain any more weight.  Make him a locker appointment as soon as you can. You won't get anything for him at the sale barn.

Most SP calves will appear to straight in their hock before they show the symptoms, but once they start swinging a leg like that, they are done.  And not all calves that are to straight in their hock will go spastic.

Sorry, it sucks when it happens.
 

DL

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Jan 29, 2007
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Yes the calf has spastic paresis and I believe the calf is in pain or at least uncomfortable so you need to make a decision rapidly as to not let the calf suffer unnecessarily

Spastic paresis (AKA Elso Heel) is a genetic disorder of multiple breeds first described in Holsteins (off spring of Elso, hence the name). The genetics are not yet understood but there appears to be incomplete penatrance or epigenetic effects as the manifestations are varied in severity and onset - it can appear to begin as early as a month or much older, rarely in adults. It involves the nerves of the hindleg causing tightening of the gastrocs tendon (that is at the hock) resulting is straightening of the leg. The calf will walk on his tip toes, shift weight on his legs, cross his rear legs and swing out his rear legs when walking - they are often wide based in the front (tripod like) to help balance and they may use their tail for balance

If the calf is with his peers he will often lie down when they are up and grazing, he will appear straight early on. There is no cure and he will only get worse - if you are inclined Dr Beever is collecting samples to try to identify the genes involved in spastic paresis - PM me for more info

sorry about your calf - this is a real nasty disorder
 

Pleasant Grove Farms

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Sep 19, 2011
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199
I really hope that you can find another project animal.
It would appear that this calf has had very good care and very good feed.
Your youngster would benefit, I think by a successful project; I bet there
are ppl on this forum that could help out with locating another calf.
 

mhooperjr

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Nov 25, 2012
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I would like to thank everyone for their time and help in this matter.  Our seller/breeder has agreed to help us out and make it right.
I am glad to see there is still some people out there with integrity to stand by their product.

I am new to this arena and hope to learn as much as I can.
I love the fact that not just one person can do this by themselves.  It takes work of the entire family to make a good show animal.

Our daughter has worked very hard on this animal and is learning what responsibility, failure, disappointment, and recovery is all about.

(cow)
 

Telos

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Feb 4, 2007
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2,267
Location
Dallas, Texas
I'm glad that the seller is going to make good.  My suggestion is to get a calf with better angle and not too steep in it's design. It's quite obvious that you are very good caretakers.  Good luck on your next calf and I hope the seller gives you a great one (That you deserve) for a replacement.
 

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