Aphakia in a German Holstein calf

Aphakia and further malformations of both eyes were diagnosed in a female German Holstein calf. Besides aphakia of the left eye, the calf exhibited microphthalmia, glaucoma and a hypoplastic uveoscleral tissue. Additional findings in the right eye were buphthalmus and glaucoma. Instead of aphakia, pathohistological and investigations revealed a very small (microphakia) and luxated lens. Neither the clinical nor the pathological examination revealed further malformations of other organs. A BVD infection could be excluded as cause for the ocular malformations observed. A deficiency or excess of vitamine A was unlikely because this would have also applied to all other calves born at the same time on the farm. An inbreeding coefficient of 3.168% for the malformed calf and the exclusion of environmental causes for these malformations of the eyes let us suppose a hereditary problem.     

Congenital mastocytomas in a Holstein calf

Congenital defects occur infrequently in cattle. In this report, a stillborn Holstein calf was presented for unusual nodules in the skin. Necropsy and histopathologic findings aided in the diagnosis of systemic mastocytoma, or mast cell tumor. The diagnosis of congenital mastocytoma in this case is extremely rare and unique.     

Unilateral notomelia in a newborn Holstein calf

A 24-hour-old Holstein bull calf with notomelia was donated to the Atlantic Veterinary College. The extra limb was on the right side of the caudal neck adjacent to the withers. The limb was surgically removed under general anesthesia. The calf was adopted and discharged with no complications.     

Brachyspina syndrome in a Holstein calf.

A stillborn premature Holstein calf was necropsied. The calf had severely reduced body weight and shortening of the vertebral column. The limbs appeared long and thin. Radiography and computer tomography scanning were performed, demonstrating malformation of the vertebral column. In addition, malformation of the kidneys, testicles, and heart was found at necropsy. Histologically, absence or incomplete development of intervertebral discs and complete or partial fusion of the epiphyses of adjacent vertebrae were found. In some areas, diaphyses of adjacent vertebrae were fused due to absence of epiphyses and intervertebral discs. Disturbed ossification of epiphyses in the appendicular skeleton was also present. The etiology of this syndrome was not identified. An inherited cause is possible due to a close relationship between the parents.     

Congenital aganglionosis in a 3-day-old Holstein calf

Necropsy of a 3-day-old Holstein heifer revealed proximal megacolon and distal colorectal hypoplasia. Histologically, the hypoplastic distal colon and rectum lacked submucosal and myenteric ganglia. Clinical history, physical examination, and pathologic findings were consistent with intestinal aganglionosis, a congenital anomaly well documented in humans and foals but not previously reported in cattle.     

Case report--bilateral anotia in a German Holstein calf

In a female black and white coloured German Holstein calf bilateral anotia and impaired vision was observed. This congenital anomaly is very seldomly seen in cattle. The clinical examination revealed no further anomalies. The test on a BVDV infection was negative. No other affected calves could be detected by examining the relatives.     

A case of perosomus elumbis in a Holstein calf

Perosomus elumbis is an occasionally found congenital anomaly of unknown etiology and is characterized by partial or complete agenesis of lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae and ankylosis of the hindlimbs. A 2-day-old female Holstein calf presented nearly normal forelimbs but flexure and ankylosis of the hindlimbs. The vertebrae and pelvic malformations and agenesis were radiographed and then necropsied. Mild ankylosis of the hindlimbs, absence of cauda equina, left scoliosis in state of fusion of T11 and T12 and complete fusion of L4 and L5, narrowed pelvic canal and misshapen ilium were confirmed. However, abnormal development or agenesis was not observed in the urogenital and intestinal system in this calf.     

Portomesenteric venous gas in a 2-week-old Holstein calf

A 2-week-old Holstein Friesian female calf was presented with profuse diarrhea and abdominal distension. Clinicopathological findings included marked hypoproteinemia, hypoglycemia and leucopenia, mild hyperlactatemia, and hyperfibrinogenemia. On abdominal ultrasonography, features were consistent with portomesenteric venous gas (PVG), a rare condition reported in the medical literature. The PVG in this calf was associated with severe gastrointestinal illness and sepsis.     

Case report. Diphallus in a German Holstein calf

A diphallus was found in a German Holstein calf. Clinical examination revealed a duplication of glands penis, corpus penis and urethra, but no further anomalies were observed. Possibly, this congenital anomaly is caused by a chromosomal aberration.     

Complex vertebral malformation in a stillborn Holstein calf in Japan

A female stillborn Holstein calf with shortened cervical and thoracic regions, protrusion of the tongue, and bilateral symmetric flexural contraction of the anterior limbs was delivered on gestation day 281. Multiple hemivertebrae, fused and misshaped vertebrae, synostosis and scoliosis of cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebral column were found in the affected calf by radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) analysis. Ten pairs of ribs were present and the sternum consisted of 9 sternebrae. Multiple morphologic abnormalities including fusion, malformation, and displacement, were found in the ribs and sternum. Cardiac anomalies, including atrial septal defect and hypertrophy of right ventricle, were observed. DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis demonstrated that amplified product from the liver DNA of the affected calf had identical pattern to that associated with complex vertebral malformation (CVM) of Holstein calves and that her dam was a heterozygous carrier of CVM. The affected calf was diagnosed as having CVM based on the DNA-PCR results and the characteristic findings, and was recorded as a first documentation of CVM confirmed in a Holstein calf in Japan.     

Case report: congenital myoclonus in a German Holstein calf

A female German Holstein calf was not able to stand up after birth. Resting the animal was lying in normal position and could lift its head. Sensory stimuli like auditory or tactile impulses induced myoclonic jerking of the whole body. Afterwards it calmed down quickly. The signs observed correspond to the clinical findings of congenital myoclonus in poll Hereford calves. The pathological examination revealed no indications for changes in organs. The inbreeding coefficient of the calf was 1.56 %. The present type of congenital myoclonus in the calf examined is likely to be genetically determined, even if the point mutation in exon 2 of the glycin receptor alpha 1 gene was not confirmed.     

Congenital enlargement of the suburethral diverticulum in a Holstein calf

A 3-month-old, female Holstein calf was examined because of marked perineal swelling and tenesmus of 4-days duration. A congenitally enlarged urethral diverticulum was diagnosed using fluoroscopic and ultrasonographic imaging techniques. The urethral diverticulum was surgically resected and the perineal area was reconstructed.     

Case report: Ectopia cordis in a German Holstein calf

A case of ectopia cordis pectoralis was diagnosed in a black and white coloured German Holstein calf. The heart and pericard were displaced through a fissure in the breastbone. The heart was connected with the thoracic cavity by its large vessels. Besides of the ectopia cordis no other defects of the heart were noticed. The liver was deformed and many organs showed passive hyperaemia. The calf was well developed and died under birth. The lungs were not ventilated. The malformed calf was inbred on a bull used for artificial insemination with an inbreeding coefficient of 3.125%. The ectopia cordis probably resulted from the fissure of the breastbone.     

Adverse effects of a 10‐day course of ibuprofen in Holstein calves

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended for various conditions in cattle. Ibuprofen is an inexpensive short‐acting NSAID and is readily available in liquid formulation for administration to bottle‐fed calves. We compared the adverse effects of a 10‐day course of ibuprofen and placebo in 16 five‐ to six‐week‐old Holstein bull calves that were being treated for experimentally induced bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection. Ibuprofen was administered as a liquid in milk replacer at 30 mg/kg divided three times daily. We found an increased prevalence of abomasal ulceration 5 of 8 in the ibuprofen compared to placebo group 2 of 6 (P = NS). There was one (1 of 8) case of mild interstitial nephritis in the ibuprofen and none (0 of 8) in the placebo group (P = NS). Renal function as measured by serum BUN and creatinine levels was not different between groups; no animal demonstrated an increase in creatinine.