Broken horns

5.4.4 Broken Horns Broken horns require immediate first aid to prevent maggot infestation.

See page 225.

14.11 Broken horns A normal horn in most livestock is partly hollow. The top 1/3 of the horn is solid; and the bottom 2/3 of the horn is more hollow and has blood vessels in it. Livestock may break their horns fighting or getting caught in something (and then trying to break loose). If the outer, hard coat of the horn is scraped off or the tip of the horn is broken, the condition is not usually serious. However, if the bottom 2/3 portion of the horn is broken, two serious problems may result, both of which require rapid treatment:

 Serious hemorrhage (blood loss) can occur.

 The hole from the horn opens right into the head of the animal (i.e. its sinuses). If maggots infest the wound, the animal will probably die.

Treatment of Broken Horns:

1. If the tip of the horn is broken, it can be filed to make it smooth.

1. If the hard, outer covering has come off, the bleeding should be stopped. This can be done with pressure or by using potassium permanganate crystals on a damp piece of cotton wool. The cotton wool is held in place until the bleeding stops. Then protect the injury against maggots or screwworm.

1. If the bottom 2/3 of the horn is broken, the horn should be removed at its base to allow it to heal.

1. If a piece of special “embryotomy wire” or dehorner is available, it can be used to cut through the base of the horn. If not available, then a regular saw can be used. (A hack saw works well.)

 Cut the hair around the base of the horn; and clean with disinfectant.

 Use about 5 - 10 ml of local anesthetic around the base of the horn.

 Cut the skin around the base of the horn.

 Using a piece of embryotomy (fetotomy) wire, place the wire in the skin incision; and start cutting by pulling on the handles attached to the wire.

 Once you start cutting, do not stop or the wire or saw may become stuck and break.

 Near the end of the cut, when only the skin is remaining, an assistant should support the horn so that the skin does not tear with the last few cuts.

 To control the bleeding, use potassium permanganate crystals, apply a hot metal iron for several seconds, or clamp the bleeding vessels with forceps or pliers.

 Apply a thin layer of cotton in the holes of the animal’s skull to prevent flies from laying eggs in the skull. The cotton wool must be thin to allow air to reach the wound and dry it. Gentian violet (if available) works well on the wound itself and keeps it dry.

 Apply maggocide / screwworm ointment, powder, or spray around the wound to prevent maggots.

 Remove the cotton wool and check after 3-4 days. If there are signs of infection (i.e. pus), clean the area thoroughly and give antibiotics.

 Apply new cotton wool to the holes, gentian violet (if available), and a product to prevent maggot / screwworm infestation.