Repair of transverse process fractures of multiple lumbar vertebrae in an adult dairy cow

Objective: To report lumbar vertebrae transverse process fracture repair using a narrow 3.5 mm limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC‐DCP) in an adult dairy cow. Study Design: Case report. Animals: A 3‐year‐old Holstein cow. Methods: Under general anesthesia, fractured left transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae 2–4 were repaired using internal fixation. A narrow 3.5 mm LC‐DCP was contoured and secured to the spinous process and the transverse process of each fractured vertebra. Results: Fractured transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae were successfully repaired and the cow discharged 10 days after surgery. At 10 months after surgery, the cow was declared reserved champion at a regional show. Conclusion: A paramedian approach and muscle splitting can be used to repair multiple lumbar transverse process fractures using internal fixation with an excellent cosmetic outcome.