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Frequently Asked Questions Archive
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Q: New calf born 9/2/06 having trouble with front feet . When up and walking feet seem weak and want to bend under and walk on the first joint. Second day he is getting better but is still doing it some and still doesn't seem to come to full flexing of his feet . He is very long and about 95lbs. This is the first time I have experienced this before. What causes this and will it get better?
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A: Calves may be born with a number of limb deformities for a variety of reasons. The most common is called contracted tendons; it sounds like this is what you are describing. Contracted tendons is an inherited condition, but position in the uterus may also play a role. At birth the pastern and fetlock joints are flexed and cannot be fully extended. These calves often "knuckle-over" and walk on the front of their pastern and fetlock joints.
Many calves with contracted tendons recover without treatment. Like your calf, they gradually are able to stand on their toes and eventually the gait is normal. More severe cases may require splints, casts, or surgery, and the worst cases may not respond to treatment.
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Dr. David Smith, Professor and Extension Veterinarian
Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
September 6th, 2006
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Visitors' comments
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I have a calf with the same problem, yet she is still not walking right and she is over 2 weeks old and now she walks on her knees sometimes and or knees are banged up.
Kamille Brawner from IN, on Jun 29th, 2009, 23:28
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