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I have a newborn Angus calf who doesn't seem able to move his back legs separately. He favors his left back leg and it doesn't seem to be able to bear his weight. When he stands up he wants to lean on that side as if the leg is giving way. I can't seem to find anything wrong with the shape of the legs. He is big and healthy looking otherwise and is able to nurse.

Last Updated: October 08, 2008

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This may be a congenital defect of the nerves, muscles, or bones; an injury that occurred at, or shortly after birth; or possibly, white muscle disease, a nutritional deficiency of selenium. From your description, it appears that if it is a defect or injury, the lesion is in the hips or lower back. Injuries like this might happen during an assisted delivery, or if the calf was stepped on by a cow. What matters most is whether or not the calf can get better and what you might need to do to help it.

A veterinary examination would help to determine the nature of the problem and what to do about it. If the problem is white muscle disease then injections of selenium (with veterinary supervision) might help, and knowing so would be important because the same condition may be affecting other calves.

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