Immobilization of fracture in the region of the tibia and fibula with a Thomas splint on a ram

Abstract

Cases of long bone fracture are quite common in the clinical routine of large animals owing to the territoriality, character and management of the herd. Most affected animals are euthanized because of their low zootechnical value or the high added value of treatment. This paper reports the case of a male breeding sheep of the Santa Ines breed who was treated at the clinical school of the Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás (PUC-GO) for its inability to stand on the left hind limb, as well as the presence of an edematous region that appeared after a fight with a male breeding goat. Imaging examinations revealed a multifragmentary closed fracture of the tibia and fibula in the left pelvic limb. Analgesia was administered using meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg intravenous for 3 consecutive days), the limb was immobilized with plaster and bandages for 21 days. After this period, radiographic examination revealed retainer instability, prompting a new approach, namely the use of a Thomas splint for 37 days. Subsequently, another radiographic image was obtained, which showed bone synthesis with bone callus formation. After the splint was removed, the animal had no difficulty walking or performing activities such as feeding and lying down, and its reproductive function was not compromised. Thus, the use of this immobilization method was confirmed as a treatment for fractures in breeding animals because small ruminants have great capacity for bone regeneration, and because the Thomas splint is easy to use and has low cost of production and maintenance.