Prognosis. The prognosis is favourable, for, provided there has been only a moderate strain of the tendons or isolated injury to the muscles, recovery is almost certain.
Treatment. Treatment consists in resting the animal and in assisting repair.
The parts can be immobilised by the application of a vesicant or mild blister. A week or ten days later dry friction, muscular and periarticular massage are indicated, and gentle exercise should be commenced. The same treatment may be employed in strain of the elbow joint and in strains of muscles or tendons in the neighbourhood of joints. Such lesions are, however, very rare in the ox.
STRAIN OF THE KNEE.
Strain of the knee is commoner in the ox than in the horse, because of the special conformation of the knee in the ox and the mode of working under a yoke. This mode of working gives less individual liberty to the fore quarters, and sometimes interferes with the animal’s efforts when moving a load. Strains of ligaments and periarticular injuries occur as a general rule on the inner side of the limb.
The symptoms consist in lameness, exaggerated sensibility on pressure, pain on forced flexion of the knee, and swelling of the entire periarticular region.
The prognosis is somewhat serious in working oxen.
Treatment, when applicable, should consist of stimulant dressings, massage, and douches.
STRAIN OF THE FETLOCK.
This is one of the commonest accidents of draught oxen.