Читать книгу Bovine Reproduction - Группа авторов - Страница 267

Fractures of the humerus usually occur after a fall or during a traumatic episode such as a bullfight or breeding injury. These fractures are best treated with stall rest, supportive bandaging of the weight‐bearing limb, and NSAIDs. Concurrent damage to the radial nerve can occur with fractures of the humerus, and supportive care with acupuncture and electrical stimulation has proven helpful. If tendon contracture of the affected limb starts to occur, the limb should be bandaged and splinted (Figure 16.30).

Figure 16.30 Fractured humerus with mild radial nerve involvement in a mature cow. Splintage of the lower leg was required to reduce deep digital flexor (DDF) contracture.

Surgical repair of femoral fractures using dynamic compression plates is not often successful in adults because of the difficulty in attaining alignment and compression with fixation screws, and only marginally successful in neonates. Salter‐Harris fractures of the distal femur may be seen in calves delivered by forced extraction during dystocia. If attempted in the calf, it must receive appropriate colostrum supplementation and its health status should be thoroughly evaluated. Use of dynamic compression plates is difficult in neonates because the cortices of the femur are not strong enough to offer good purchase for the fixation screws. Stacked intramedullary pins or locking nail devices may be a better choice for the repair of the neonatal bovine [20].