TREATMENT OF COMPOUND FRACTURE IN HIND LIMB OF GAZELLE

The antelopes are very beautiful animals. They are famous for their speed, grace and good look. They are deer like ruminants and belong to family bovidae. The antelopes are divided into nine separate groups. The Gazelle is one of the largest group of antelopes. The gazelle is most attractive and graceful animal and lives in desert area of Thar, Sindh, Pakistan. It is a creature of the burning deserts, treeless plains and sandy wastes. The gazelle is hunted for the sake of its delicious flesh, fat and beautiful hide. Many people and professional hunters take keen interest in antelope hunt its delicious flesh, fat and beautiful hide. Many people and professional hunters take keen interest in antelope hunting. Now, people in Pakistan capture fawns and antelopes to keep as fancy/pet animals in houses. Unfortunately, people do not understand surveillance and management of these wild animals. Therefore mostly fractures, damages to the skin and other parts of the body of the animal occur during capture and transport. Fracture of the forelimbs, hind limbs and of the pelvis are relatively common in antelopes, when predators attack them.
Case History:
A 2 years old pet female Gazelle was presented having damaged forelimbs and fractured hind leg.
DIAGNOSIS:
Clinical examination revealed swelling, pain and crepitus sound s on palpation in left hind leg. Whereas, left forelimb’s skin was damaged. Antelope was supported to stand on her hind legs then she was unable to bear weight on left leg and showed lameness. There was a damage to the skin and other part of the body. Fracture in the hind leg was diagnosed by latero-medial radiograph obtained for the assessment of extent of damage in the hind leg.
TREATMENT:
Treatment was divided into 2 planes i.e. conservative management and surgical intervention. Conservative approach was taken for left forelimb. Antelope was kept in rest, activity was limited and measures were taken to ensure regular urination and defaecation.
Surgical treatment: Animal was restrained and placed laterally to make plastering of hind leg.
Prognosis:
Radiographs were taken 3 weeks after plaster to assess healing. Prognosis was excellent and antelope returned to its normal functions.