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A black and white female German Holstein calf showed a highly deformed cranium. The animal was not able to stand. Further findings were bilateral strabismus divergens and negative pupillary light reflexes. Magnetic resonance imaging and pathological-anatomical examination showed that the cerebrum was replaced to a high degree by the ventricle system filled with 1.5 liters of cerebrospinal fluid. The hemispheres of the cerebellum were ruptured by the dilated fourth ventricle. In addition, the vermis and pons were missing and fluid accumulation in the subarachnoidal space extending up to the first spinal cord segments was visible. Inbreeding was not detected in the 3-generation-pedigree. No other affected calves from the same parents were known at the farm. Chromosomal abnormalities could not be detected after examination of 30 metaphase spreads using a light microscope. Infections and parasitic diseases could be ruled out for this anomaly. Very rare defect alleles might have been involved in the development of these inborn defects.

Two black and white female German Holstein calves showed malformations of the cerebrum. The first calf exhibited a cystencephaly and the second calf a meningoencephalocele. The animals originated from two different dairy farms. Both calves were sired by two unrelated sires used in artificial insemination. The calf affected by cystencephaly was lacking the corpus callosum which may had been caused the cystencephaly. Exept for a pressure atrophy, the remaining parts of the brain were macroscopically and histologically inconspicious. Histological examination of the cerebrum, brain stem and cerebellum in the second calf did not reveal specific changes. A further finding in the second calf was a unilateral anophthalmia. Both animals were affected by additional defects in the spinal column including brachyuria, duplications and fusions of vertebral bodies and rips as well as malformations of the heart such as ventricular-septal defects. Only mild clinical symptoms could be observed in both calves. The calves were not inbred and further calves affected by the identical anomalies could not be ascertained at the farms where the calves were born. Chromosomal anomalies could not be detected after examination of metaphase spreads using light microscopy.

Congenital defects like myofibrillar dysplasia (splayleg), umbilical and inguinal hernias, cryptorchism, intersexes, and anal atresia occur relatively frequently in swine. On the other hand, some developmental anomalies like double monsters are very rare. The present paper reports a rare case of a congenital complex malformation including polymelia, duplicitas coli partialis et recti, atresia ani et fistula rectogenitalis, duplicitas corpori uteri, cervicis, vaginae et vulvae and duplicitas vesicae, urethrae et renalis. A plausible interpretation concerning the etiology is that the anomalies arose from unequal partial twinning. The pig has been healthy and inconspicuous. Although no anus was formed defecation took place via a fistula to one of the vaginas. Posture and behaviour of the pig were normal. Cytogenetic analysis of blood lymphocytes revealed no numerical or gross structural anomalies. There have been no further piglets with developmental disorders in the same litter, in a second litter of the same parents and in other twelve litters by the same boar.

A black and white German Holstein calf displayed a complex double malformation in shape of a thoracopagus parasiticus. By means of a molecular genetic investigation the genesis of the malformation from one zygote could be demonstrated. Both vertebral columns showed a pronounced lordosis, with the vertebral column of one animal ending in a rudimentary head. Close to this rudiment two derivates of branchial arches were found. The two thoracic cavities merged into one "thorax". In the shared thoracic cavity one heart was found. In its right atrium, a cherry-sized structure was found in which heart- and vascular smooth muscles were demonstrated histologically. The aorta split shortly after its origin to provide both animals with one aorta each. The larger pair of lungs was connected with a trachea leading to the head while the smaller pair of lungs originated from a trachea deriving from the rudimentary head. The diaphragm jejunum and split afterwards. The pedigree of the affected animal showed neither inbreeding nor any other affected animal.

In a female black and white coloured German Holstein calf bilateral anotia and impaired vision was observed. This congenital anomaly is very seldomly seen in cattle. The clinical examination revealed no further anomalies. The test on a BVDV infection was negative. No other affected calves could be detected by examining the relatives.

A case of multiple, congenital malformations, with special emphasis on cardiac malformations (atrial- and ventricle septum defect, Ductus Botalli persistens, bilateral ventricle and atrial dilatation) in a lamb are described. Clinical findings, X-ray, ultrasound examination, electrocardio- and phonocardiogram, as well as pathology are discussed.