Complex Vertebral Malformation (CVM) in a calf

The Authors describe the clinical, radiological and anatomo-pathological findings of a case of Complex Vertebral Malformation in a two-day-old Holstein female calf. The calf, weighing 19.4 kg, was submitted due to bilateral symmetrical flexural contraction of the metacarpo-phalangeal and metatarso-phalangeal joints, and medial rotation of the digits, which hindered the calf from maintaining the quadrupedal stance. The calf was alert and showed physiologic appetite. Despite repeated attempts to stand up, it was unable to and remained laying down in a frog-like decubitus. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs of the whole vertebral column and mediolateral and dorsopalmar projections of both the distal forelimbs were obtained. The vertebral column showed multiple vertebral anomalies including hemivertebrae, fused and misshapen vertebrae and ribs, and scoliosis affecting mainly the caudal cervical and the thoracic regions. At necropsy, besides the skeleton anomalies already described, complex malformations of the heart were observed, and included atrial and interventricular septal defects, and patent ductus arteriosus. The calf resulted as homozygous for CVM-mutation, based on the results of the DNA-PCR test.