A case of congenital unilateral hip dysplasia in a newborn calf

We describe the case of a Simmental calf with congenital unilateral hip dysplasia. In the initial physical exam, the calf was able to stand unsteady when helped and showed severe swinging lameness in the left hind limb. Unilateral hip laxity and a positive Ortolani sign indicated subluxation of the femur within the hip joint. This finding was further confirmed by radiographic examination which also showed malformation of the left femoral head and acetabulum. After a short period of clinical improvement the calf's health deteriorated and it was euthanized due to signs of severe coxarthrosis. Pathological examination of the affected hip joint revealed a severe acetabular and femoral dysplasia with an incomplete formation of the epiphysis of the femoral head and a chronic granulating coxarthritis without evidence of primary infectious events.