Crushed tail head syndrome in cattle
Watson, C.; Penny, C.
Veterinary Record 152(17): 542-543
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 12739606 Document Number: 554024
The occurrence of cases of demonstrating severe musculoskeletal signs in a beef suckler herd. Five Hereford x Friesian cows and one Aberdeen Angus x Friesian cow were affected. The cases occurred during the summer grazing between 1988 and 1989. All cases were associated with recent oestrus activity and the presence of a particular Charolais stock bull. The cases varied in severity, with one case showing flaccid tail paralysis alone; the other five cass demonstrated varying degrees of gait abnormalities and hindlimb weakness, with all showing bilateral knuckling of the fetlock joint. The bulls was 3- to 4-years-old when these cases occurred and was described by the farmer as having a vigourous mounting action. In these cases it seems probable that the bull was responsible for the trauma suffered by the affected cows. This report suggests that the condition can arise in beef sucklers in addition to dairy cows, and can arise at grass or while housed.