Expert: Karin - 6/22/2011

Question
I just received a 2 month old calf from auction with swollen joints on both hind legs and apparent blindness in both eyes. There also appears to be a loss of hair around the swollen joints and on the rump just above the tail. I have no further information on the history of the calf. From everything I can find it appears the diagnosis would be naval ill that was not treated quickly enough or at all, but I am not sure. When we got the calf yesterday we gave it about 1/2 a gallon of gatorade and he seemed to perk up just a bit. We also gave an injection of 2ML of Penicillin. Does this sound like joint ill or something else?

Answer
Hi Matt,

The bald spots are often the result of fever and dehydration, which causes the hair follicles to stop producing hair temporarily.  

Now as far as the blindness AND the swollen joints are concerned, my suspicions are that your calf may have some form of Septicemia or joint-ill (not navel ill).  And maybe pink-eye.  But I'm not all that certain since I've never seen the calf nor do we know the history of it.  

My suggestion is to see your local large-animal veterinarian and have a blood-test done on this calf.  He or she may be able to give you the better diagnosis based on what they see and the tests done on it.

The electrolytes are good to give because obviously the calf has been suffering a fever and has been getting dehydrated.  I know the vet might also recommend tubing him with Glycol-P or something similar to get him going again and on the road to recovery. An antibiotic like Baytril, Nuflor, Excenel or Banamine any of those antibiotics that your vet prescribes may also help.  Some calves that have a bad case of joint ill may have large knees for the rest of their lives, but it shouldn't affect them all that much.

But I would definitely see your vet about this.  

-Karin