leg problem

[xbred]

have you ever heard of a disease or syndrome that is characterized by spastic motion in the lower rear legs when walking? i have a cow who's rear legs jerk when she is starting to walk..after she walks a few steps it clears up for the most part...i think it is getting worse...

 

[kenny thomas]

Is she heavy with calf?

 

[xbred]

she's probably 7-8 mths...but i noticed it earlier in the year and is gettting worse..

 

[Workinonit Farm]

Is she an old/older cow? Athritis?

Katherine

 

[xbred]

4 yr. old good health...7-8 mths. bred...weaned good calf last year

 

[kenny thomas]

Other than maybe a pinched nerve from being heavy in calf, I don't have a clue

 

[Lucky_P]

There are some heritable neurologic defects/diseases in some breeds, that might cause these sort of signs.

Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV) infection can cause tumors(lymphosarcoma) in the spinal canal which put pressure on the spinal cord. Affected cows exhibit gait abnormality/weakness - usually starting in the rear legs - which gets progressively worse until they go down. Have your vet pull a blood sample and submit to the diagnostic lab for BLV testing - unless he determines that there's something else amiss.

 

[xbred]

thanks

 

[jerry27150]

there is a condition called crampiness , as an animal gets up& starts to walk they will exhibit a shaky or jerky movement, but after a few steps they walk normally