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Update! 12.11.2010 Aurora is doing very well.

Aurora, the Holstein calf was only 2 days old when she was found by her owner with what looked like a broken front leg. The owner rushed her to Tatura Vet Clinic, where she was X-rayed, and a fracture of the humerus (upper front leg) was confirmed.

A team lead by Dr Phil set to and inserted a stainless steel pin into the humerus to stabilize the fracture in a lengthy surgery. Aurora spent the next 10 days in a horse stable at the Vet Clinic where she was given intensive after care. She is now at home with her mates where recovery is continuing.

Aurora is indeed a lucky calf. Humane euthanasia is the usual way of dealing with this sort of injury to a calf. In a normal commercial dairy calf, repair of a fracture like this is rarely attempted because the cost of treatment would far outweigh the commercial value of the calf. Also the many possible complications of the fracture reduce the chances of success. Dr Phil has been at Tatura Vet Clinic since 1978, and this procedure has never been conducted on a calf in that time. It is a relatively common surgery in dogs and cats, but not farm animals.

Aurora is a valuable stud calf, the result of an embryo transfer. Her full sister was sold earlier this year for $5,000, and as her genetic mother died only a few weeks ago, there is limited opportunity to continue her family line.

Aurora was a popular patient at Tatura Vet Clinic, and we are all keenly following her progress.

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