Treatment of congenital flexural tendon contracture by oxytetracycline administration in calves

Abstract

Congenital contracted flexor tendon is commonly encountered in calves (Leipold et. al., 1993). Etiologic factors for. the disorder include inherited factors, in utero-malpositioning, large size of foetus, arthrogryposis syndrome, toxic food, mineral and vitamin deficiency during pregnancy (Leipold, loc. cit.; Ames, 1993; Johnson, 1993). Bandage application such as splint, polyviniyl clorit (PVC) and fibreglass materials and tenorraphy are commonly used for the treatment of this disorder (Fessler, 1984; Anderson and Jean, 1996; Samsar and Akin, 2002). Oxytetracycline (OTC),. an antibiotic, has been used in foals successfully for the treatment of flexoral tendon contraction (Madison et al., 1994)