Arthrogryposis with attendant features of achondroplasia in Gudali calf of Nigerian cattle breed at Akinyele International Cattle Market, Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria: an epizootiologic investigation

Abstract

This investigation describes a rarely reported occurrence of arthrogryposis in trade cattle calf of Gudali breed in Ibadan, Oyo State, South west, Nigeria. The animal was gaunt, with severely compromised gait and notable contracture of the radio carpal and tibio tarsal joints. There were varying degrees of abduction of the limbs. The animal was purchased at the age of six months in Akinyele International Cattle Market (AICM) at Akinyele Village, Akinyele Local Government area of Ibadan, Oyo-State, Nigeria for subsequent fattening operation. The condition was characterized by poor feeding performance and general unthriftiness. The defects were characterized for quality control points in good calf-selection for fattening and rearing from AICM, Ibadan. The haematology showed lower than normal blood parameters except for the Red Blood Cell (RBC) counts and the Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), which may be the reason for lethargy and poor growth observed. The calf was recommended for culling due to subsequent pedal paralysis ensued. Thus, age of acquisition of calves for fattening or rearing at AICM is crucial to avoid such congenital abnormality. Acquisition of yearling calf or above age when the abnormality was obvious is recommended with enhanced veterinary support service at AICM.