Equine Musculoskeletal: First Aid for Fractures

Question 1

what is the primary objective with emergency management of long bone fractures?

Answer 1

minimize any additional trauma

Question 2

how should you stabilize a forelimb fracture for travel (mid-metacarpus to distal radius)?

Answer 2

heavy robert jones bandage from ground to elbow
2 splints at 90 degrees of each other from elbow to ground

Question 3

can you stabilize the femur and pelvis?

Answer 3

no

Question 4

how should you orient a horse with a forelimb fracture in a trailer?

Answer 4

rearward

Question 5

should you give antibiotics for a fracture?

Answer 5

yes- regardless of whether open or closed

Question 6

what drugs are given right after a long bone fracture?

Answer 6

alpha2 agonists
opiates
alpha antagonists: acepromazine

Question 7

in which bones would a fracture need a robert-jones bandage with extended lateral splint?

Answer 7

tibia/fibula
radius/ulna

Question 8

how should you stabilize a fracture proximal to the elbow?

Answer 8

caudal splint to point of elbow because triceps apparatus is disabled
fix carpus in extension

Question 9

how should you position a horse with a hindlimb fracture in the trailer?

Answer 9

face forward

Question 10

how should you position a horse with a forelimb fracture in the trailer?

Answer 10

face rearward