How to detect and treat fractures or dislocations in your livestock

Zimbabwean men attempt to get a malnourished cow on its feet in rural Masvingo, in this file picture taken January 21, 2016.

Every living being has a form of skeletal system which protects its internal delicate organs from external forces. In addition, the skeletal system gives shape and aids in movement.

All mammals are vertebrates and have internal skeleton composed of varies types of bones unto which muscles and ligaments artistically attach. Typically, mammals will have a head on one end from which a vertebral column arises and moves to the far end in most instances ending up in a tail.

The bones forming the skeletal system are connected together by various types of joints reinforced by ligaments. Joints and bones form centres where dislocations and fractures can occur when under excessive and sudden force like happens in accidental falls.

The skeleton protects vital body organs to which any injury can be fatal. For example, the skull houses the delicate but very vital organ called the brain; the spinal column protects the bundle of body wiring system – nerves while the ribs protect the heart and lungs.

A fracture describes an injury to the bone tissue or skeletal systems that results in breakages spanning part of or round the bone mass. This can be accompanied by injury of muscle tissue and even other internal organs within the proximity of the injury. Fractures and dislocations are among the common medical conditions affecting the skeletal system but whose management is a tricky affair.

Diagnosis of a fracture

Severity of bone fractures vary with its location, number of fractures, the age and weight of the animal and the causative force.

Severe forces will cause a complete fracture in which a bone loses its continuity. In it is bizarre form the bone can cut through the muscle and skin and protrude outside (this is not only painful but equally scary)– what is medically called an open fracture.

When the bone is fractured but remain canceled within muscle or skin tissue, it is referred to as a closed fracture. An animal can also suffer multiple fractures in a single bone.

A dislocation affects the bone joint and is difficult to treat in animals. When this is combined with a bone fracture, culling as a salvage procedure may be the only option.

While serious fractures will be observed and reported by the farmer; slight fractures can be difficult to locate and will require a systematic and logical diagnosis by an experienced veterinary orthopedic hand.

It is of critical importance that the exact location of the fracture or dislocation is identified for a good diagnosis and further management.

Pain is a main clinical sign at the site of a bone fracture or dislocation of a joint. Tenderness of the muscle may be misleading as it can be caused by other forms of injuries or disease conditions.

But sometimes pain may be absent within the first 20 or 30 minutes following an accident due to shock.

Local swelling though not restricted to fractures or dislocation is a common sign in fractures especially where soft tissues are affected. In fractures and dislocations swellings will normally subside after 48 hours with treatment.

Limping

Other clinical signs in fractures are due to secondary injuries either to the surrounding muscles, internal organs or nearby nerves.

Injury to muscles will cause swelling of the affected area while injury to internal organs will manifest by subnormal or dysfunction of the affected organs or body systems. For example if fracture is on the skull, the animal may become unconscious.

Paralysis is a sign that a nerve has been damaged in the process and this is not a good sign.

If the fracture involves the hind or fore arms then lameness will be a key sign; observe abnormal posture or limping in an animal.

The pain will result in lifting of the affected arm and the animal may “cry” when forced to use the fractured or dislocated part.

Crepitations which are the gritting sensation when palpating fractured bones is perhaps a confirmatory sign for a bone fracture.

However, this should be done with a lot of care to avoid worsening the condition and should be probably a reserve of a veterinary doctor.

Many fractures will be accompanied with soft tissue injuries. For example fractures in the pelvic area may result in further injuries to of the bladder, the prostate, urethra, or major blood vessels and nerves.

When a blood vessel is injured, internal bleeding may arise with deadly consequences if not discovered and corrected in time. Fractures involving the ribs can further puncture the lungs and result in deadly respiratory system dysfunctions. When a nerve is involved, paralysis may follow.

Dos and dont’s

Bones especially for young animals have a super healing capacity following fractures (you have seen this in kids) when the requisite conditions are met. This ability however gets diminished with age.

Fractures and dislocations present a poor prognosis (outcome of medical intervention) because of the weight of animals or rather weight that a given bone or joint supports.

The principle of fracture correction is normally immobilisation of neighbouring joint and pulling together the separated edges of the fracture; a daunting task in animals.

The cost of treatment may also be high and such intervention will be determined by the value of the animal.

So what should you as a farmer do to avoid fractures and dislocations in your animals or how do you attend to an animal that has suffered a fracture?

Don’t confine you animals in small areas; tethering a cow with a short rope in a ground full of tree stumps, stones can predispose it to falls and hence fractures or dislocations.

Avoid scaring animals especially when in large groups composed of different age groups as this can result in stampedes.

Handle pregnant animals with a lot of care as their skeleton system has an added extra load and her calcium requirement is equally high.

Fractures and dislocations are a common complication both to cows and calves during assisted birth by untrained persons; in case of difficult births call a trained animal health profession to assist.

While the prognosis is normally good for the calf; the mother will be lucky to get another calf.

Bones are largely made up of minerals namely calcium, phosphates and water. When an animal lacks these mineral components in its diet, its bone will be weak and can easily break.

When you suspect your animal has a fracture; try to immobilise the animal and immediately call a veterinary doctor.

But be informed that in fractures and dislocations the mantra that “prevention is better than cure” – strictly apply. In most cases be prepared to say bye to your animal when it suffers a fracture.

-The writer is a Veterinary Surgeon working as a Communication Officer with the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC)