bovis - Articles
Schistosomus reflexus
Synonym(s): Fetal monster, Deformed calf, Inside out calf
Introduction
- Cause: unknown.
- Signs: dystocia, usually requiring fetotomy or cesarean resulting in deformed calf with internal organs outside of the body.
- Diagnosis: appearance of calf is pathognomonic.
- Treatment: none.
- Prognosis: hopeless.
Cost considerations
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Unknown.
- R P Knight conducted a 20-year study of cases in Australia and concluded that schistosomus reflexus was likely due to a spontaneous defect. This is supported by reports of twins, where one has been affected by schistosomus inversus and one has been a healthy calf (or a freemartin unaffected by schistosomus reflexus).
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- DEFRA (2021) Disease surveillance in England and Wales. Vet Rec 188 (9), 341-345 PubMed.
- Laughton K W, Fisher K R, Halina W G & Partlow GD (2005) Schistosomus reflexus syndrome: a heritable defect in ruminants. Anat Histol Embryol 34 (5), 312-318 PubMed.
- Cavalieri J & Farin P W (1999) Birth of a Holstein freemartin calf co-twinned to a schistosomus reflexus fetus. Theriogenology 52 (5), 815-826 PubMed.
- Knight R P (1996) The occurrence of schistosomus reflexus in bovine dystocia. Aust Vet J 73 (3), 105-107 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Dart A (2022) Congenital and Inherited Anomalies in Animals MSD Manual. Website: www.msdvetmanual.com.