Lame - bovine fractures Flashcards
What type of fracture do bovine fractures tend to be?
Comminuted, open and grossly contaminated
How are limb fractures diagnosed in cows?
Trauma may have been witnessed
Manipulation - atypical movement, crepitus
What does treatment of bovine fractures depend on?
Signalment - age, weight, nature of fracture, value of animal
What is casualty slaughter?
If an animal gets a fracture from TB testing then farmer will get full cost of animal back even though slaughtered
When are bovine fractures most difficult to treat?
Heavier animals
Fractures higher up the limb
When is the best prognosis for fractures?
Uncomplicated distal limb fracture in young animal
What is commonly fractured in a bovine pelvic fracture?
Tuber coxae - pin bone
What causes pelvic fractures in cows?
Lateral falls
Pushing/racing through narrow entrances
What are the clinical signs of pelvic fractures in cows?
Not painful - not part of weight bearing apparatus
Bone fragment displaced ventrally
What treatment should you give for pelvic fractures?
No treatment needed
Box rest maybe
What is a complication of pelvic fracture?
Bone fragment sequestra causing open draining tract to develop
What causes a sunken spine at the sacrum and very prominant wings of the ilium in cows?
Pelvic symphysis fracture
What can cause a pelvic symphysis fracture?
During calving - if big calf, assisted
Pelvic symphysis is pulled away from the spine
What are the clinical signs of a pelvic symphysis fracture?
May be incidental - not painful
May affect weight bearing causing lameness
What is the treatment for a pelvic symphysis fracture?
Treatment not needed but wont calve again, will be culled after this lactation
