Diagnosis:

This calf has a fracture on both of its left metacarpal diaphyses.  This fracture is an open wound that was 
caused by the complications with the calfŐs birth.  The calf is a transgenic calf and these tend to be larger 
than normal.  This explains the difficult birth which necessitated the use of a FrankŐs jack.  The jackŐs 
chains are applied around the calfŐs metacarpals when pulling.  In this case the chains caused lacerations 
and a fracture in the front left leg.  This certainly made it very easy for a bacterial infection to begin.  
Initially there probably was a systemic infection in this calf causing a decreased immune response which 
caused the bone to heal slower than normal.  The CBC did not show a leukocytosis, which would indicate 
active inflammation however there is evidence of a chronic bacterial osteomyelitis. The soft tissue 
swelling, positive bacterial culture, and slight elevation in temperature of the calf support this idea.   Other 
evidence of infection is the presence of the draining tract containing a purulent exudate and the unthriftiness 
of the calf. The owners have not put this calf on antibiotics to treat this infection so it continues to affect 
the healing process.  The improper and ineffective bandaging technique added to the further aggravation of 
the skin lacerations and caused malalignment of the bone fragments in the metacarpal. The bone began to 
heal in an incorrect position, which eventually lead to the valgus deformity.  The toe is pulled upward on 
this leg.  We are attributing this to improper bandaging which caused a contraction artifact.  When 
bandages are applied they should be applied with the joints in flexion to discourage tendons from 
becoming contracted and leading to malformations as in this case.  The official diagnosis of this calf is a 
simple, transverse, open fracture in both metacarpals III and IV of the left front limb, with a secondary 
chronic osteomyelitis in these bones.