Evaluation of polyvinyl chloride splints for the treatment of long bone fractures in dogs

Abstract

The present study was undertaken with the objective to evaluate the efficacy of PVC splints and its immobilizing effects in managing long bone fractures in dogs. The study was carried out in twelve clinical cases of fracture of radius and ulna in dogs of either sex presented to the clinics of College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. The animals were randomly divided into two groups (Group I and Group 11) consisting of six animals each. After clinical examination of the animals, the fracture was reduced by closed method under sedation by administering atropine sulphate followed by xylazine hydrochloride intramuscularly and in certain cases, thiopentone sodium was also administered 'to effect' general anaesthesia. The affected limb was immobilized by application of plaster of Paris cast in Group I and application of PVC splint in Group II. All the animals were kept under observation for a period of 30 days after the treatment in both the groups. A marginal decrease in respiration rate and pulse rate and a normal range of rectal temperature were observed during the early post-treatment period in all the animals of both the groups. Fifty per cent of animals in each group started bearing weight on the affected limb by the end of 15th post-treatment day. Symptoms like soft tissue trauma, oedema, instability, pain, loosening and mutilation of the immobilization devise were relatively more in animals of Group II, but these complications could be attended readily in animals of this group. By the end of 30th post-treatment day, all the animals in Group I could bear weight and able to walk on the affected limb, but pain at the fracture site persisted in three animals. In Group II three animals were able to use the limb actively while other animals exhibited a little difficulty in walking but the gait became normal after some days. A marginal increase in packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and total leucocyte count were observed on 15th post-treatment day in haemogram. Differential leucocyte count revealed neutrophilia and decrease in lymphocyte count on 15th post-treatment day. Eosinophil, basophil and monocyte counts exhibited marginal variation during the post-treatment period. By the end of 15th post-treatment day, periosteal reaction started I developing at the site of fracture in majority of animals in each group. Perfect apposition of the bone fragment was observed In one animal in Group 11. Obliteration of medullary canal was noticed in all the animals of both the groups. By 30th post-treatment day all animals in Group I and two animals in Group II exhibited moderate amount of periosteal callus. Complete bridging of fracture gap was noticed in two animals in Group I and four animals in Group II. In all other animals gap between the bone fragments was evident partially. An increase in serum alkaline phosphatase and serum acid phosphatase level was observed in the immediate post-treatment period in all the animals.