Farm animal enucleation and spastic paresis

Why do we enucleate?

welfare concern - pain, neoplasia (scc - esp white headed animals), trauma, ulcers.

What sedation would be good?

xylazine and ketamine combo (xylazine by itself doesn’t tend to work on these animals).

Modified ket stun (50:50 xylazine and ketamine combination for effective sedation at .5ml each)

retrobulbar/peterson local block or 4 point.

auricular palpebral - stops eyelid moving but still have feeling

pack wound or not to pack?

either is fine but make sure if packing theres a bit left out to pull out packing 24 hours later.

What are the presenting signs for spastic paresis?

normally fast growing animals, straight back legs, progressive disease, back legs sticking out.

What type of procedure is done for spastic paresis?

salvage procedure.

is spastic paresis hereditary?

yes, but unlucky combination of genes. Can have many calves and never have had that problem before.

Which nerve is affected?

BIG nerves (size of a finger!), tibial nerve, its the one diving away from surface.

What local block should be done for spastic paresis?

high vol epidural

Where should you cut for spastic paresis surgery?

two fingers behind femoral head.

What is gridding?

tearing muscle by hand instead of cutting with scissors/scalpel

What are nerves normally surrounded by?

fat and blood vessels.

What is the procedure?

find nerve, locate tibial one, cut 2-2.5 inch chunk out of it to relieve spasticity, then suture back up.

What is the prognosis?

good - often bilateral then do one and then 10 days later do the other.

post op complications?

gastronemeaus rupture (partial can be casted, full means shoot).