Calf with two faces born at Va. farm - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

bossradio93 · 01-05-2007, 12:05 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070104/...two_faced_calf

Calf with two faces born at Va. farm

Thu Jan 4, 4:14 PM ET

RURAL RETREAT, Va. - One of the newest arrivals at Kirk Heldreth's dairy farm is drawing crowds. A calf with two faces was born Dec. 27 at Heldreth Dairy Farm, and word has spread in southwest Virginia as residents flock to his farm.

The animal is normal from its tail until its unusually large head. The calf breathes out of two noses and has two tongues, which move independently, according to Heldreth. There appears to be a single socket containing two eyes where the heads split.

"It's the craziest thing I've ever seen," the dairyman said.

During the calf's birth, Heldreth said he first thought there were two calves.

The calf has two lower jaws, but only one mouth. Heldreth feeds her through a tube, and acknowledges he probably can't maintain that feeding schedule for long.

The calf was the product of artificial insemination, which was supposed to create a genetically superior specimen. "Genetically, this is one of my better calves," he said.

Bob James, a professor in the dairy science department at Virginia Tech and Heldreth's former teacher, said such births are unusual.

"In my 25 years, I've seen it maybe two or three times, but it's pretty rare," he said.

James said the abnormality could be caused by a developmental problem or a genetic quirk.

According to MedicineNet.com, the condition is called diprosopus. It happens when twins start to form and don't completely separate. In most cases, the twins are completely fused with one set of limbs, but part or all the face is duplicated.

Heldreth said the calf doesn't appear to have any other physical ailments or complications.

"It's as healthy as can be," he said.

Heldreth expects many more people will be curious enough to stop by.

"I'll just have to tie the dogs extra tight," he said.

Yahoo! News/AP-January 4, 2007

Dutabi84 · 01-05-2007, 12:25 AM

I hate those hypocrite cows.

Ireneparalegal · 01-05-2007, 12:27 AM

What a two-faced heffer.

dawsongirl · 01-05-2007, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutabi84

I hate those hypocrite cows.

lol

80sTrivia · 01-05-2007, 06:41 AM

You guys are funny!

01-05-2007, 12:05 AM	#1
bossradio93 Game Show Fanatic! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2004 Location: Bellflower, California Posts: 2,392	Calf with two faces born at Va. farm http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070104/...two_faced_calf Calf with two faces born at Va. farm Thu Jan 4, 4:14 PM ET RURAL RETREAT, Va. - One of the newest arrivals at Kirk Heldreth's dairy farm is drawing crowds. A calf with two faces was born Dec. 27 at Heldreth Dairy Farm, and word has spread in southwest Virginia as residents flock to his farm. The animal is normal from its tail until its unusually large head. The calf breathes out of two noses and has two tongues, which move independently, according to Heldreth. There appears to be a single socket containing two eyes where the heads split. "It's the craziest thing I've ever seen," the dairyman said. During the calf's birth, Heldreth said he first thought there were two calves. The calf has two lower jaws, but only one mouth. Heldreth feeds her through a tube, and acknowledges he probably can't maintain that feeding schedule for long. The calf was the product of artificial insemination, which was supposed to create a genetically superior specimen. "Genetically, this is one of my better calves," he said. Bob James, a professor in the dairy science department at Virginia Tech and Heldreth's former teacher, said such births are unusual. "In my 25 years, I've seen it maybe two or three times, but it's pretty rare," he said. James said the abnormality could be caused by a developmental problem or a genetic quirk. According to MedicineNet.com, the condition is called diprosopus. It happens when twins start to form and don't completely separate. In most cases, the twins are completely fused with one set of limbs, but part or all the face is duplicated. Heldreth said the calf doesn't appear to have any other physical ailments or complications. "It's as healthy as can be," he said. Heldreth expects many more people will be curious enough to stop by. "I'll just have to tie the dogs extra tight," he said. Yahoo! News/AP-January 4, 2007
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01-05-2007, 12:27 AM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	What a two-faced heffer.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

01-05-2007, 06:41 AM	#5
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	You guys are funny!
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01-05-2007, 12:25 AM	#2
Dutabi84 kittens must die Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: MN/TX Posts: 11,026	I hate those hypocrite cows.