This case report documents the surgical treatment of bilateral lateral patellar luxation in a calf and the outcome by clinical examination, radiography, CT and postmortem examination. A 21-day-old calf was referred because of severe hindlimb weakness. Orthopaedic examination and radiographs revealed a grade 3 bilateral lateral patellar luxation with normal stifle bone anatomy. Surgery consisted of lateral desmotomy with excision of proliferative capsular tissues and imbrication of the medial retinaculum and resulted in anatomic repositioning of the patella. Aftercare consisted of treatment with ampicillin and meloxicam, a modified Robert Jones bandage with a spica splint and physiotherapy. In between surgeries CT was performed. The lameness in both hindlimbs gradually improved over time and the calf developed a normal stance and gait. After euthanasia CT was repeated and pathology performed, showing normal articular cartilage of the stifle and correct location of the patellae without signs of inflammation.

Platelet and leukocyte count reference intervals (RIs) for cattle differ by age and while adult RIs are known, RIs for calves are studied less. The aims of this observational study are to evaluate variation of platelet counts of Holstein Friesian calves over the first 14 days of life and to propose RIs for platelet and leukocyte counts of Holstein Friesian calves aged 0–60 days. In a longitudinal study, 19 calves were blood sampled 17 times, in the first 14 days of their lives. Blood was collected in a citrate blood tube and platelet counts were determined. We assessed the course of platelet counts. In a field study, 457 healthy calves were blood sampled once. Blood was collected in an EDTA blood tube and platelet and leukocyte counts were determined. The RIs were calculated by the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. Platelet counts started to increase 24 h after birth (mean platelet count 381 × 109/L ± 138 × 109/L) and stabilized after five days (mean platelet count 642 × 109/L ± 265 × 109/L). In calves up to six days of age, platelet counts were lower than in calves older than five days. In conclusion, the RIs of platelet and leukocyte counts in calves were wider in range than the RIs for adult cattle, therefore, calf specific RIs for platelet and leukocyte counts should be used. From 6 until 60 days of age, we propose an RI for platelet counts of 287–1372 × 109/L and for the first 60 days of life an RI for leukocyte counts of 4.0–18.9 × 109/L.