Pelvic Fractures
Fractures of the pelvis usually require severe trauma in adults to occur, such as a kick or a road traffic accident, and will usually cause a sudden, severe lameness, and may leave the animal unable to get up.
A suspected fracture is an emergency and a veterinary surgeon should be called before attempts are made to move the animal.
In some cases the fracture is not complete and only causes a hindlimb lameness, however this suddenly deteriorates when the fracture becomes complete.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis often has to largely based on clinical signs as X-rays are very difficult to achieve in this region.
A bone scan can be used to find a fracture.
Treatment
Most complete pelvic fractures in adult horses are untreatable and euthanasia on humane grounds must be performed. If the fracture is only partial the horse should be placed on strict box rest to try and prevent deterioration.
Treatment has bee carried out successfully in foals for various fractures although the likelihood of having full athletic function are relatively low.