The cases of fractures in calves referred in our clinic and treatment possibilities

The cases of fractures in calves referred in our clinic and treatment possibilities.The aim of this study was to evaluate the etiology, incidence, classification, radiological findings, treatment regimen and healing results of fractures in calves referred to the Clinic of the Surgery, Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine between 01.01.2006 ? 01.06.2007.The material of this study comprises 71 (%22, 58) fractured calves out of 310 [ 63 Holstein (%88,7), 4 Montafon (%5,6), 3 Simmental (%4,2) and 1 (% 1,4) Eastern Anatolia Reddish]; 38 male (%53,52), 33 female (%46,48); aged 1 ? 180 days.Routine clinical and radiological examinations of calves were performed. Evaluation of the etiology revealed that fractures of 38 calves had occurred during parturition due to forced and wrong applied aiding, while fractures of the remaining 33 cases were acquired after trauma in post partal period.Localization of the fractures were mostly encountered on the metacarpus (33, %46,5) followed by femur (13, %18,3), radius ulna (8, %11,2), tibia (6, %8,4), metatarsus (5, %7), humerus (2, %2,8), carpus (1, %1,4), coxae (1, %1,4), scapula (1, %1,4) and olecranon (1, %1,4) . Five of the fractures (metacarpus) were bilateral; the others (66) were unilateral. Fourteen of fractures (%19,7) were open, and 57 (%80,2) were close.Calves were treated conservatively with a cast and plaster bandage (47) and/or operation (24). Follow-up showed that 47 cases healed, 11 cases were lame and 13 cases died.As a result, it was concluded that there was higher incidence of fractured calves brought to our clinic and, assistance during parturition, especially correct application of forced extraction, as well as separation of the newborns for the certain time from the adults has great relevance.Keywords: Calves, clinic, fracture, treatment.