OklahomaHorses Magazine November 2021

November/December 2021 • OklahomaHorses 17 of the sinuses and nasal passages. Fractures involving the bony orbit surrounding the eye typically require surgical fixation as well. In very severe cases, advanced imaging in the form of a CT scan may be recom- mended before going to surgery to obtain prognostic information for the horse and to help the surgeon plan for the repair. Surgical repair of skull/facial fractures has been accomplished via a variety of meth- ods. Often, we use larger-sized sutures or stainless-steel wire to reattach the frag- ments. In some cases, small reconstructive bone plates are used. Very small pieces of bone may need to be discarded if they can’t be wired into place. If left where they are, these will likely die and become a source for drainage. If the sinus cavities are involved, a thorough lavage of the sinus cavities will be performed. Bleeding into the sinuses that occurs with facial trauma sets up a nice en- vironment for bacterial infection to occur, so a thorough lavage of the sinuses, or at least a course of broad-spectrum antibiot- ics, is often indicated. Once the fracture fragments have been repaired, skin wounds can be closed as for any laceration. Recovery for skull/facial fracture patients can be tricky. We want to minimize ad- ditional trauma to the head and keep the horse from rubbing its face on the stall, fence, etc., to avoid harming the delicate repair. As previously mentioned, the horse will likely be placed on broad-spectrum antibiotics, as well as Bute or Banamine for pain. Following facial trauma, a number of complications that may occur and warrant additional treatment include secondary sinus infection, sequestration of bone frag- ments (where small pieces of bone become devitalized and act as a source of drainage) and fistula formation (due to incomplete healing of bone, a communication forms between the skin and the sinus). In very severe cases, neurologic symp- toms, such as dull mentation or incoor- dination, may occur, indicating a poorer prognosis for the patient and warranting additional diagnostics and treatments. Many facial fractures heal well and rela- tively cosmetically with early and appropri- ate treatment. Contacting your veterinarian right away gives your horse the best chance for a successful recovery. About the author: Megan Williams, DVM, DACVS (Large Animal) is an assis- tant professor of equine surgery at Oklaho- ma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She is board-certified in large animal surgery and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Large Animal). Her research interests include equine lameness, particularly re- garding suspensory ligament pathology. THIS HOLIDAY SEASON GIVE THEM For more information, contact BioZyme ® Area Sales Manager Maverick Squires at (405) 234-0965 or visit www.vitalizeeq. com Lorem Ipsum An intraoperative picture and CT 3D reconstructed image of a mare with multiple fractures after she got caught in a pipe fence.