'Parasitic twinning' could explain calf born with two extra legs
A calf has made a full recovery after surgery to remove two legs growing from its head.
A heifer in southern Queensland, nicknamed Spider, was born with two extra legs protruding from her head. Veterinarian Megan Smith performed a 90-minute surgery to remove the limbs from the calf's head, allowing her to make a full recovery and return to her mother. Experts believe parasitic twinning or genetic mutations could explain the unusual birth anomaly.
Dr. Imke Tammen, a geneticist at the University of Sydney's School of Veterinary Science, stated that exactly why Spider was born with extra legs likely remains a mystery, but such abnormalities can happen in the womb. Sometimes, a developmental error in one embryo can result in additional limbs. In some cattle, extra limbs can also be linked to inherited genetic conditions, and DNA testing may help identify animals carrying the problem.
Dr. Tammen urged farmers to report unusual births to their veterinarians, as collecting information about cases can aid researchers in understanding the causes. The case was unlike anything Smith had seen in her 20-year career, and the owners had considered putting the calf down but accepted the vet's offer to perform the risky surgery at minimal cost.
The calf's owners were initially concerned about the calf's welfare, but Smith reported that the calf was drinking from a bottle shortly after waking from the operation and returned to her mother, living a normal life within hours.
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