Deformed calves under the spotlight

A calf with eye sockets, eyelids and tear ducts but no eyes was one of the most unusual cases found in an ICBF survey of genetically defective calves last year.

The eyeless calf was one of 95 deformed calves reported to ICBF geneticist Jennifer McClure in 2016.

Born last October, the heifer calf can blink and produce tears but has no eyeball in either of her eye sockets

The number of deformed calves reported by farmers and vets more than doubled from 45 in 2015 to 95 last year in response to a nationwide call for unusual animals by ICBF.

Almost half of the defective calves reported had problems with their abdomen, internal organs, genitalia or anus, according to McClure.

Most of the 41 animals in that category were affected by atresia, also known as waterbelly, which is one of the specific diseases being targeted by ICBF in 2016 and 2017.

While the calves appear normal at birth, they have a blockage somewhere in their digestive system that prevents them being able to pass water or dung.

The condition can also be referred to as “no back passage”.

Other calves reported in this category include one with spina bifida and a number of animals with heart defects.

Farmers reported more than 12 tail-less calves in the category for spinal, shoulders, hip or limb problems, while other calves had twisted limbs.

Fifteen animals were reported to have “behavioural issues”. These ranged from calves with neurological problems causing them to walk in circles, to calves who repeatedly pressed their heads against the wall. Some animals were described as “a bit slow” or “a bit stupid” by their owners.

Thirteen calves had whole body issues and these were mostly dwarf calves.

Cleft palates, split nostrils and an undershot jaw featured in the head and neck category, which also included one calf with hydrocephalus or water on the brain.

Nine animals had skin and hair issues, and the majority of these (six) were photosensitive animals who suffered from sunburn. Two calves were born with so little hair covering their bodies that they looked naked, according to the ICBF geneticist.

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Why is ICBF studying deformed calves?

Jenny, the calf with no eyes