Obturator nerve paralysis:
- It is also known as calving paralysis or sciatic nerve paralysis.
- It may be due to damage of obturator nerve or indirectly due to damage of spinal nerve.
- Dystocia is main contributory factor. During manual handling, the nerve gets damaged.
Etiology:
- Trauma: Fractures or dislocation of pelvis or femur may result in injury of nerve.
- Neoplasia: Tumors or growth near the obturator nerve can compress or damage nerve.
- Inflammation: Infection or inflammatory conditions can affect the nerve.
- Idiopathic: In some case, exact cause is not clear.
Clinical Findings
- Sciatic nerve damage results in knuckling of the fetlock. It is usually bilateral in severe cases and unilateral in milder cases.
- Animal has trouble standing and when assisted, characteristic knuckling is present.
- In severe damage to obturator nerve, animals are unable to adduct hindlegs. Due to this, there is hyperextension of hindlimbs laterally.
- This paralysis leads to hip dislocation.
- Muscles supplied by obturator nerves atrophies or starts to shrink
- Excess pain in affected limb.
- Loss of patellar and withdrawal reflexes in hindlimb.
Diagnosis:
- Clinical examination of animals which includes examination of limbs, assessment of gait, signs of discomfort or pain
- Diagnostic imaging: X-rays or CT or MRI helps in locating nerve injury, fracture
- EMG: It helps in confirming nerve damage and its severity
- Blood test: It helps to rule out inflammatory and infectious conditions.
Treatment:
- In mild cases, rest and anti-inflammatory medications may be sufficient. NSAID are used to control mild pain and inflammation
- Dexamethasone @ 10 to 40 mg, IV or IM, every 24 hours, should be administered for the first 5 days
- Flunixin meglumine @1.1 to 2.2. mg/kg, IV slowly, either once a day as a single dose or divided in two doses administered at 12-hour intervals for up to 3 days
- In cases of compression or tumor, surgical intervention is required.
- Physiotherapy can help maintain muscle mass and improve limb function
- Pain relieving medications; opoids or NSAIDs can be used.
- Assistive devices or slings or orthopedic aids are provided to help animal regains its mobility.
- Cattle that fail to show any improvement in the first 5 days of treatment have a poor prognosis.