Metacarpal and metatarsal fractures in cattle. Treatment and results

94 cattle with 97 metacarpal or metatarsal fractures were presented at the Department of Veterinary Surgery of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universit?t, Munich, between 1970 and 1987. The cause of fracture was incorrect traction during assisted delivery in almost one third (30.9%) of cases. Eighty-two animals were treated. 59 out of 73 cattle treated conservatively and 7 out of 9 which were operated, could be healed. In 38 animals the fracture healed without malpositioning; 28 developed a shortening or bending of the affected limb, which, with the exception of one case, did not functionally impair the animals. Complications occurred in 22 patients (= 26.9%); in closed fractures the reason was predominantly due to dislocation of the fragments within the cast, whereas an osteomyelitis was usually the cause in the case of the open fractures.     

Effect of local anaesthesia on short- and long-term pain induced by two bloodless castration methods in calves

Behavioural and cortisol responses of calves were used as indicators of pain to assess short- and long-term effects of bloodless castration methods with and without local anaesthesia. Seventy calves, aged 21-28 days, were control handled (20) or castrated using the Burdizzo (25) or rubber ring technique (25). Either 10 mL lidocaine or NaCl were distributed in both spermatic cords and the scrotal neck. The plasma cortisol response was recorded for 72 h, and behavioural and clinical traits monitored over a three month period. Local anaesthesia reduced the level of indicators of acute pain after both the Burdizzo and rubber ring techniques. It did not, however, result in a totally painless castration. As there was evidence of chronic pain lasting for several weeks after rubber ring castration, the Burdizzo method is judged to be preferable to the rubber ring technique.