QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 249 



vein as it courses over the hock. Lameness accompanying its pres- 

 ence is usually due to an underlying true spavin (arthritis chronica 

 deformans tarsi) and should be treated accordingly. 



Give the pathology of thorough-pin. 



Generally due to chronic synovitis brought on by severe exertion. 

 It may follow an acute synovitis, and consists of a distention of the 

 capsule of the tendon in the upper posterior part of the hock-joint. 

 Occasionally this sheath of the flexor pedis tendon communicates 

 with the capsule of the true hock- joint and hence we may see 

 bog-spavin and thorough-pin coexisting. Thorough-pin is seldom 

 accompanied by acute inflammation and hence lameness is rare. 



Define curb. Give treatment for curb. 



Curb is a thickening of the metatarsocalcanean ligament, result- 

 ing from inflammation. The term curb is often applied to any 

 swelling which causes a deviation from the normal straight line 

 from the tuber calcanei to the fetlock. 



Treatment : Acute inflammation calls for antiphlogistic measures 

 such as cold irrigation, Burrow's lotion, etc. Later, blistering, or 

 line firing and blistering with rest, is indicated. 



Define " capped hock " and give causes and treatment of same. 



Capped hock refers to any swelling on the point of the os ealcis. 

 It may be due to inflammatory swellings or thickenings in the skin 

 and subcutis, gravitation of swellings originating above, hydrops 

 of the subcutaneous bursa of the flexor pedis perforatus tendon, or 

 swelling of this tendon. 



Causes: Kicks, violent exertion, slipping and external injuries 

 from various sources. 



Treatment: Acute inflammatory conditions demand cold appli- 

 cations. Later, absorbing applications, such as tincture of iodine 

 or mercuric blisters. Extensive swellings may reqvdre antiseptic 

 puncturing with a hollow needle and the application of a pressure 

 bandage. Wounds require the usual antiseptic treatment. In 

 swellings of the skin, massage is beneficial. 



Describe anterior tibial neurectomy. 



Operate on the standing animal with local anaesthesia but it, is 

 better to use general anaesthesia with the animal cast and confined. 

 Locate the furrow between the extensor pedis and the peroneus 

 muscles. Shave and disinfect an area, 6 cm. long by 3 cm. wide, 

 directly over this furrow and extending upward from a point 6 or 7 

 cm. above the tibio-astragaloid articulation. At a point 8 to 10 cm. 



