246 VETERINARY STATE BOARD 



Hip lameness is best diagnosed by a process of exclusion and is 

 very difficult at times. 



Treatment: Rest is necessary. Apply counterirritants such as 

 subcutaneous or intramuscular injections of dilute Lugol's solution. 

 Setons, blisters and the firing iron are used. 



Give the diagnosis and prognosis of fracture of the femur. 



Diagnosed by the presence of severe pain, leg abducted when 

 advanced. Supporting-leg lameness; crepitation. Fracture of the 

 trochanter is marked by swelling and pronounced swinging-leg lame- 

 ness, shortening of the forward stride and abduction of the limb. 

 "Weight may be placed on the leg. Fractures into the stifle-joint may 

 show symptoms of gonitis. 



Prognosis : Very unfavorable. Best to destroy. Fracture of the 

 trochanter is least dangerous. 



Give the symptoms and treatment of stifle lameness. 



The term "stifle lameness" is a collective one. The following 

 conditions are included under this caption: 1, acute and chronic 

 gonitis ; 2, strains of the patellar ligaments ; 3, bursitis prepatellaris ; 

 4, luxations and fractures of the patella. The term is usually 

 referred to the first named. 



Symptoms : Gradually increasing lameness ; limb held in a flexed 

 position, or, if both limbs are affected, they are rested alternately. 

 In moving, the limb is carried stiffly, the toe dragging or hitting 

 slight prominences. In acute conditions, a diffuse swelling is seen 

 and tenderness is very marked. Chronic cases show a distention of 

 the joint capsule below the pateUa. 



Treatment: Acute conditions call for cold irrigation and com- 

 presses. Later, a blister may be of benefit. Chronic cases are 

 usually incurable, although blisters and the firing iron may be tried. 



Describe the symptoms and the treatment of displacement of the 

 patella. 

 Symptoms: Momentary upward (habitual) luxation may be 

 overlooked, or the patella may remain fast for a moment and then 

 suddenly descend with each step, showing a slight check to move- 

 ment, similar to that seen in string-halt. In stationary upward 

 luxation, the limb is stiffly extended backward and cannot be 

 advanced. Inability to flex the limb, and the patella is fixed on 

 the upper portion of the internal lip of the trochlea. Outward 

 luxation is shown by inability to bear weight on the limb, due 

 to the loss of function of the rectus and vasti muscles. The limb can 

 be advanced but the stride is shortened and lameness is shown when 



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