CHAPTER XVIII 

 DISEASES OF THE HIND LIMB 



Fracture of the Ileum, " Hipped." — Fracture of the angle 

 and neck of the ileum may be chissed among the common fractures 

 in horses and cattle. Fractures involving other parts of the 

 pelvic bones are less common. Such fractures are due to acci- 

 dental causes, as striking the point of the hctunch on the door 

 frame when hurrying through a narrow doorway and falling on 

 frozen ground. 



Fractures of the external angle of the ileum or point of 

 haunch are usually followed by displacement of the fractured 

 portion. The same is true of fractures of the neck of the ileum. 

 The result is a deformity of the quarter. 



In making an examination of these parts the examiner should 

 see that the horse is standing squarely on its feet, and then 

 compare the conformation of the two quarters. Fractures of 

 either the external angle or the neck of the ileum cause the quar- 

 ter to appear narrow and low. A close examination may enable 

 the examiner to differentiate between the two fractures. Frac- 

 tures of the neck of the ileum can be recognized by manipulating 

 the part through the walls of the rectum or vagina. 



The degree of lameness may vary. In some cases there may 

 be no lameness when the animal walks, but a slight degree of 

 lameness may be noticed when it trots. For several weeks after 

 the injury the horse may be unable to use the limb, but it may 

 eventually make nearly a complete recovery. 



Atrophy of the muscles of the hip or quarter (Fig. 44) 

 should not be mistaken for fractures of the ileum. This con- 

 dition involves the heavy gluteal muscles and may occur as a 

 complication of azoturia, or a lameness of the hind limb that 

 is usually due to a spavin. 

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