What are the prevention and treatment methods for fractures and dislocations in pigs?

A crack in a bone caused by external impact is called a fissure fracture (also known as incomplete fracture), while a break is called a fracture (also known as complete fracture). When the head of a bone leaves the joint socket and cannot return to place on its own, it is called a dislocation. When the two opposing joint surfaces cannot contact each other at all, it is called a complete dislocation; when the two joint surfaces are partially in contact, it is called an incomplete dislocation.

1. Causes Traumatic fractures are caused by various mechanical violent impacts, such as whipping, fierce fighting, falling, jumping, etc. Fractures occur easily in cases of rickets, osteomalacia, and osteomyelitis.

Dislocations are often caused by falling, jumping, crushing during mating, etc., which lead to excessive extension, flexion, abduction, or inward rotation of the joint. In addition, tumors at the joint and bone end, and excessive accumulation of inflammatory exudate within the joint can also cause dislocation. Common sites of dislocation include the shoulder joint, hip joint, knee joint, hock joint, and fetlock joint.

2. Symptoms When a fracture occurs, the sick pig develops lameness, and the affected area shows obvious redness, swelling, heat, and pain. The fracture line can be felt on the affected bone, and a "crackling" friction sound can be heard when the broken bone moves. Rib fractures often cause local redness and swelling. There are blood stasis spots under the skin at the injury site. If the broken bone penetrates and injures the pectoral muscles, blood entering the chest cavity can induce pleurisy. Excessive internal bleeding often causes sudden death.

Dislocations of the limbs are mostly single-limb. Except for hip joint dislocation, the pig can generally barely stand on three limbs and walk by jumping. With hip joint dislocation, the pig often assumes a sitting-like posture, dragging the affected limb to crawl, and the direction of the limb axis below the dislocated joint changes. The protruding joint head or joint socket can be palpated, and a friction sound is produced when it is shaken.

3. Prevention and treatment Mainly strengthen management, such as setting up a mating rack or promoting artificial insemination during mating, and strictly preventing jumping from vehicles during transport. Boar house doors must be closed firmly to prevent fighting. Treatment is generally of little value. Depending on the condition of the sick pig, culling may be considered. When treatment is necessary, generally first perform reduction, then fix with splints, and apply any of the following prescriptions externally.

(1) External application medicines:

① Six-angled aster (Laggera alata), Gynura japonica, and Sambucus javanica - take fresh roots of each, pound them into a paste, and apply to the affected area.

② Fresh pine needles and fresh Davallia mariesii - add an appropriate amount of alcohol, pound into a paste, and apply to the affected area.

③ Fresh ramie root and Hypericum japonicum - take an appropriate amount of each, add an appropriate amount of baijiu, pound into a paste, and apply to the affected area.

(2) Decoction for oral administration: Achyranthes bidentata, Angelica sinensis, peach kernel, and Gynura japonica 10 g each; safflower and raw cattail pollen 5 g each (the above is the dosage for pigs weighing 15-26 kg).