Ribs that are fractured in multiple places may cause a condition known as "Flail Chest", in which the relatively rigid chest wall moves abnormally, disrupting normal respiration. Horses that suffer penetration into the chest and get a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) will usually have rapid, labored breathing, flared nostrils and appear distressed. In rare cases, a fractured rib may splinter and the broken end pay penetrate deeper into the chest or abdomen, lacerating internal structures like lung, liver, spleen and intestine. These horses require rapid veterinary care. Occasionally horses that have sustained an injury to the rib cage area may also be depressed, off feed and/or breath rapidly. Since other conditions can result in most of these signs too, definitive diagnosis of a rib fracture requires radiography (x-ray) or ultrasound. In some cases, crackling or crunching can be felt when the area is pressed. Signs of fractured ribs are swelling, heat, and pain in the affected area, and sometimes reluctance to walk. (Note: Foals sometimes fracture their ribs in the birthing process, and this is discussed in a separate diagnosis record "Foal or Newborn, Fractured or Broken Ribs.") This can happen in a fall, a severe kick from another horse, or collision with a moving object (car or other horse), or heavy stationary objects. A large impact to the rib cage is necessary to cause fracture. Adult horse ribs are very heavy, strong bones that are rarely fractured and even more rarely diagnosed as fractured.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |