| - - - - - - - -WHAT IS PHA? - - - - - - - |
| PHA = = = = = PULMONARY HYPOPLASIA with ANASARCA |
Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Anasarca (PHA) is not unique to Dexter cattle and has been identified in other cattle breeds. The defect in the Dexter breed is a mutated version and the PHA test in Dexter cattle differs from that of other breeds.
It is important for breeders to test for PHA so they can be aware of any PHA carriers in their herds and make informed breeding choices. Each time a PHA carrier bull is bred to a PHA carrier cow there is a 50% chance of producing a live carrier calf, a 25% chance of producing a live non-carrier calf, and a 25% chance of producing a DEAD PHA affected non-viable fetus. Breeding a bull and a cow together that carry PHA can result in a dead fetus similar to those shown in actual photos on this page. It is important for breeders to note that the mis-shapen fetus, swollen with fluid, not only creates a loss of life for the calf, it can become a risk to the life of the cow if the fetus cannot be expelled during the normal calving process. Trying to pull a PHA calf is often futile effort - and without the knowledge that the fetus is swollen in size - efforts to "pull" a PHA fetus will result in a horrible ordeal for the cow and place her life in jeopardy. To test your Dexter for PHA . . visit the Legacy site, and complete the service application. Price for the test at the renowned University of California Veterinary Genetics Laboratory is $20.00 Click here for the Legacy service application Legacy | Services Application
Legacy would like to re-emphasize to Dexter breeders the risk of PHA is to both the COW and the CALF.
The graphic photos on this page depict the swollen, fluid filled bodies of PHA " waterbabies". The PHA aborted fetuses are similar in appearance to the aborted "bulldog" calves of chondrodysplasia but can be identified by the LONGER LEGS connected to the body. A chondrodysplasia "bulldog" calf will have tiny stumps connected to the body of the fetus - while the PHA fetus will have longer legs and hooves as can be seen in the following photos.
Legacy does NOT advocate the destruction of Dexter cattle PHA carriers as PHA is a recessive genetic disorder and it is possible to breed carriers with non-carriers to produce non-carrier calves. It is suggested however for breeders to carefully evaluate any PHA carrier bull before making a decision to use him for breeding as bulls have a far-ranging genetic effect in a breed. It is known that some owners of PHA positive bulls have sold these bulls for cross-breeding. It is the position of Legacy this introduces a lethal gene into another breed. There are many articles on the internet which give specifics of the genetic defect PHA and Legacy has provided the original research article in PDF format in a link below.
This article is intended to raise awareness with Dexter breeders of not only the risk to the Dexter calf but to the Dexter cow when PHA carriers are bred together.
Please check your pedigrees. If you have Woodmagic Wheatear in your pedigree your Dexter might be at risk for carrying PHA.
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Hydrops fetalis associated with pulmonary hypoplasia in Dexter calves
This original article published in scientific journals in 2006 details the first identification of Pulmonary Hypoplasia in Dexter cattle and can be downloaded by clicking on the PDF icon on the right.
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PHA-Original Article-Australia |
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| PHA fetus ( damaged by attempts to extract) |
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| PHA "waterbaby" - Premature |
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Important Principles of Helping at a Difficult Calving
Important do's and don't s.
- Do be gentle - the cow feels pain as much as you do.
- Do be scrupulously clean. Wash your hands and arms and the cow's external genitalia thoroughly before starting to work and every time the cow defecates. Remember that the calf bed (uterus) and birth passage are made of fragile living tissue that is easily torn.
- Do recognize your own limitations. If you cannot manage the problem, stop before the cow is exhausted and the genital passage is swollen and inflamed. Call your veterinarian early.
- Do check the cow's birth canal after the calf is delivered. Call your veterinarian immediately if there are tears or excessive bleeding.
- Do make sure that the calf gets at least two litres of colostrum as soon after delivery as possible.
- Don't wait too long to interfere. Wait only one hour after the water bag appears.
- Don't attempt the job without plenty of clean water and soap.
- Don't use such things as trucks or tractors for pulling the calf.
- Don't pull on the calf unless there are three things in the birth canal - either two front feet and a head or two hind feet and a tail.
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- IMPORTANT ! ! IF YOU CAN FEEL A FETUS BUT YOU CANNOT FIND LEGS OR OTHER APPENDAGES - - - STOP and call the VET. . . and when he arrives be sure he is aware of the lethal defects of chondrodysplasia and PHA and the characteristics of defective fetuses.
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