Vol. 10, Issue 6, Part D (2025)

Author(s): Chavan SR, MG Thorat, RV Raulkar, FA Fani, Kamdi BP, Yelmule SS, Meenu PM and Sontakke AS

Abstract: A total 16 clinical cases of closed metacarpal and metatarsal fracture in cattle were divided into two equal groups of eight cattle each and were subjected to two different external immobilization techniques. In group I (8 cattle) fractures were treated by fiberglass cast application while, in group II (8 cattle) fractures were treated by splint and plaster of Paris cast application. Among these 16 cattle, 56.25% (N=9) had metacarpal fracture and 43.75% (N=7) had metatarsal fracture. The physiological, haematological and biochemical estimations didn’t show any significant variations in all cattle during the study period except serum alkaline phosphatase which significantly increased. It might be due to increased osteoblastic activity. Scores for lameness and weight bearing was significantly reduced on 21^st and 45^th day of immobilization in both the groups. However, the cattle under group I showed greater decrease in severity of lameness than that of group II. The radiographic evaluation of fracture healing revealed that cattle under group I showed a marked reduction in the fracture gap due to bridging callus than that of cattle in group II. In group I complications like non-union was seen in 2 cases. However, in group II mal union and non-union was observed in 3 cases. It can be concluded that fiberglass cast application was superior due to stronger and rapid setting time which keeps the fracture fragments in apposition as compared to splint and plaster of Paris cast application.