This single autosomal recessive has been documented in cattle (early on in Galloway, more recently, in Shorthorn and percentage Maine and Chi) since the 1950s. TH is characterized by severe and lethal deformities in newborn calves. Affected calves are born with twisted rear legs with fused joints, have large abdominal hernias and/or a skull deformity. Should the calf survive the birthing process, they cannot stand to nurse and must be destroyed.

Because the ASA has an open herdbook, allowing other breeds into our database and percentage pedigrees, TH could be a risk in certain cattle.  We strongly suggest using ASA’s website Animal Search function to access the most up-to-date genetic abnormality-status (TraitTrac) for each animal in our database.

Reporting Abnormal Calves: Call ASA immediately. ASA will reimburse all expenses. Take photos or video that best display the abnormality. We will need DNA (hair or tissue) from the calf, dam and sire. (We have DNA on all A.I. sires and donor dams.) If the calf is dead, chill the carcass until ASA has been contacted.

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