Partial tibial neurectomy in 113 Belgian blue calves with spastic paresis

One hundred and thirteen double-muscled Belgian blue calves (69 males and 4 4 females) with spastic paresis (52 unilateral and 61 bilateral) were treat ed surgically by partial tibial neurectomy under caudal epidural anaesthesi a. Telephone inquiries made at least three-and-a-half months later establis hed that good results were obtained in 83.2 per cent of the calves; a consi derable improvement was reported in 4.4 per cent which still had intermitte nt spastic contractions; severe hyperflexion of the hock necessitating earl y slaughtering was recorded in 4.4 per cent of the calves; and in 8 per cen t there was little or no improvement.