Clinical evaluation of some plaster casts available in kenya

Abstract

The ease of cast breakage, the extent of cast wearing at the foot, the ability to bear weight on the cast limb, the severity of lameness and cast related complications were compared clinically in three groups of six calves each, cast with three different pIaster of Paris bandages namely Plasrun-qvps, Veronese and Salvagyps, and observations made over the next 21 days. The casts were applied following aseptic joint surgery for immobilization. Cast breakage was seen in only one case in which Plasrun- gyps was used but observed most of the cases cast with Salvagyps and Veronese. Cast breakage was most often seen at the midshaft of the metacarpus than at the fetlock. There was marked cast wearing at the foot, in all plaster casts. All casts enabled weight bearing in all calves and when lameness was seen to be severe this was due to broken casts whose edges impinged on soft tissue causing pain. On the basis of its having minimal breakages on clinical application, Plasrun-gyps was the most suitable for use on the limbs of calves.