Internal fixation of a comminuted metacarpal fracture in a bull

An 11-month-old pedigree Simmental bull weighing 450 kg was presented with a closed, displaced, oblique, comminuted fracture of the left metacarpal III/IV bone. The two main bone fragments were reduced using two 5.5 mm cortical screws placed in lag fashion across the oblique portion of the fracture. A 4.5 mm broad dynamic compression plate was then used to stabilise the fracture site. General anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in 100 per cent oxygen and multimodal analgesia during surgery was provided with a ketamine constant rate infusion and ulnar nerve block. The limb was cast for a total of 12 weeks following surgery, with one cast change carried out at four weeks postoperatively. The bull was used successfully for natural service from nine months postoperatively. The high cost of treatment means that internal fracture fixation is only commercially viable in valuable pedigree animals. Availability of facilities for anaesthetising large animals is another limiting factor.