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Vertebral Fractures in Newborn Calves

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 34, pages 379–384 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

A prospective study on vertebral fractures in newborn calves is described. Vertebral fractures were found in 7.0% of necropsied calves of the Danish Holstein-Friesian (SDM) and Red Danish Dairy (RDM) breeds. Cases were not found in submitted calves of the Jersey breed or beef breeds. At least in beef breeds this was probably due to the low number necropsied. The rate of vertebral fractures in SDM and RDM breeds and between males and females were similar. Most cases occurred in calves born by heifers, and manual traction force had been applied in all cases. All fractures which in most cases consisted of a simple epiphysiolysis were located at the thoraco-lumbar area, and especially the posterior epiphysis of T13 was afflicted.

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Acknowledgemets

The investigations were supported by a grant from the Danish Research Academy and the National Committee on Danish Cattle Husbandry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Epidemiology, National Veterinary Laboratory, Copenhagen, Denmark

    J.S. Agerholm, A. Basse & J. Arnbjerg

  2. Department of Pharmacology and Pathobiology, Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, and Division of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Studies, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 27, DK-1790, Copenhagen V, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    J.S. Agerholm, A. Basse & J. Arnbjerg

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  1. J.S. Agerholm
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  2. A. Basse
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  3. J. Arnbjerg
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Agerholm, J., Basse, A. & Arnbjerg, J. Vertebral Fractures in Newborn Calves. Acta Vet Scand 34, 379–384 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03548181

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147