Fractures of the femur in newborn calves

Abstract

A retrospective study of femoral fractures in 77 calves revealed that most occurred in the femoral shaft or in the proximal physis, with thin cortices and periosteal stripping significant problems in fractures of the femoral shaft. Most cases were related to forced extraction, with more left femurs being affected than right. The existence of concurrent disease reduced the success rate by 50% and, when significant additional trauma was present, no calves survived. When all cases were considered regardless of condition, the "longterm" success rate was 43%.