Four adult (two males and two females) dogs were used to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of pin-infiberglass cast with Kirschner-Ehmer type I external skeletal fixative in the management of surgically created radius-ulna fractures in dogs. These dogs were assigned to two groups (A and B) with each group made up of two dogs. The radius-ulna fracture was created in all the dogs under general anaesthesia as follows: Group A, pin-in-fiberglass casting; and Group B, Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixation. Post-operatively, minimal increase in vital parameters were observed, but were not significant (P>0.05) when compared with preoperative values in both groups. The haematological indices were within acceptable normal limits for both group (P>0.05). Dogs in both groups bore weight on the operated limb and could walk within 24 hours postoperative. Radiographic evaluation revealed minimal soft tissue swelling and minimal periosteal tissue reaction in both groups. The Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative group attained the faster fracture healing time (7 weeks) compared to the pin-in-fiberglass group (8 weeks). Functional and cosmetic appearances were graded as excellent for both groups. Complications associated with the two techniques were cast sores in the pin-infiberglass group while pin loosening and serous pin tract drainage were observed in the Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative group. Thus, it was concluded that pin-in-fiberglass cast could be used as a satisfactory substitute to Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixative in the management of simple radius-ulna fractures in dogs.
The cost of medical care is an important issue all over the world. With worsening global economy and the poverty inherent in low earning economies in the third world countries, economic considerations have always remained a major determinant factor in the choice of treatment. In this study, the cost-effectiveness of pin-in-fibreglass cast fixator (PFCF) was comparatively evaluated against a commercially available fixator (Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixator) (KESF) in the management of induced closed transverse mid-shaft radius-ulna fractures in dogs. Four adult (2 males and 2 females) dogs with closed transverse mid-shaft radius-ulna fractures were used for this study. These dogs were randomly assigned to two groups (A and B) with each group made up of two dogs. Radius-ulna fractures were created in all the dogs under injectable anaesthesia as follows: Group A; PFCF, and Group B; KESF. A cost analysis was performed using the duration of operative and post-operative procedures, duration of morbidity period, direct and indirect labour cost, and cost of dog-hour lost during the morbidity period as economic indices. The overall duration of the operative and the entire post-operative procedures were 5.5±0.14 and 22±0.
Bone is a hard and resilient tissue structure that provides mechanical support for the body of an organism. This study was aimed to evaluate the radiographical and biochemical changes during postnatal bone development of forelimbs in Nigerian indigenous puppies from 2-week-old to 24-week-old. Six (6) Nigerian indigenous puppies were chemically restrained using chlorpromazine at 2 mg/kg I.M. and positioned using ropes and sandbags for mediolateral and craniocaudal views of bones of the forelimbs. At 2-week-old, radiographic evaluation of bones of the forelimbs were undertaken and continued bi-weekly up to 24-week-old. Serum samples were analysed from 4-week-old to 24-week-old at four weeks’ interval for mineral (electrolytes) using colometric method for calcium and phosphorus and flame photometry method for sodium and potassium. At 2-week-old, there was an ill-defined radiopaque secondary ossification centre at the proximal epiphysis and a small ovoid radiopaque structure at the distal epiphysis of the humerus. There was not any sign of secondary ossification centre at proximal and distal epiphyses of both radius and ulna. There was the presence of a small radiopaque (ill-defined) accessory carpal. 1st to 5th metacarpals were present together with the proximal, middle and distal phalanges of all digits except the 1st digit that has proximal and distal phalanges. From 20-week-old, fully developed carpals and bony structures were observed through 24-week-old where the commencement of fusion of apophyses of olecranon (proximal epiphysis of ulna) at the centre and acrophyses of metacarpals and phalanges. The mean values (mean ± SEM) from serum biochemistry of calcium, phosphate, sodium and potassium in mmol/L from this study were within the normal limits throughout the study. Conclusively, the complementary information from calcium, phosphate, sodium and potassium in this study showed that these elements are within the normal limit that suggests normal bone development during the study period, which stressed the importance of the knowledge on serial changes of bone development which could be useful in clinical practice.
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