Dr. Bikash Puri 1

Affection of horn

Dr. Bikash PuriAssist. Professor

Nepal Polytechnic Institute, Chitwan

Dr. Bikash Puri 2

Anatomical Considerations• The horns are formed by the cornual processes of the frontal

bones. The cornual processes are the osseous structures continuous

with the bone of skull. And accordingly with maturity of animal,

they become hollow to form a portion of frontal sinus.

• The entire portion of frontal sinus is lined by mucous membrane

• The corium of horn is united to the cornual process by periosteum

which is traversed by numerous blood vessels. This cornual

process is properly covered by the horn.

• The horn’s base is thin and is continued with epidermis. The horn

becomes thicken as it proceeds the apex, where it becomes solid.

Dr. Bikash Puri 3

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Blood supply:

– Cornual branch of superficial temporal artery and

corresponding veins.

• Nerve supply:

– Cornual nerve supplies the horn. This is a branch of

lachrymal; which is branch of ophthalmic, which is

further branch of trigeminal (5th cranial) nerve.

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Major Horn Affections

1. Avulsions/evulsion• This condition is the separation of the horny covering from

the bony core due to direct trauma.

• Initially, there is diffuse bleeding which is checked

sponataneously .

• This condition should not require any specific treatment.

• The fly repellent should be applied topically to prevent

form maggot infestation

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Major Horn Affections

2. Fracture• The horns usually gets fractured as a result of direct trauma

which is due to fighting or an accident.

• The frontal bone may also involved.

• Fractured of horn caused haemorrhage into frontal sinus

and bleeding from the nostrils which is further

complicated with purulent sinus and empyema of sinus.

• In fractures that are difficult to immobilize, amputation of

the horn proximal to fracture site is considered.

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Major Horn Affections

3. Horn cancer• Very common condition

• Symptoms:

– The horn becomes shaky and fall off later

– A foul smelling purulent discharge is noticed form nostrils

– Typical cauliflower like growth is evidenced, when horn fall off or

it is amputated.

• Treatment:

– No satisfactory treatment.

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Dehorning• Site of Operation

– At the base of the horn

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Control and anesthesia

– Deep sedation or tranquilization, in recumbent position with the

affected horn upright

– Cornual nerve block

– Infiltrate local anesthetic at the site of incision.

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Cornual Nerve block

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Surgical technique:

– Give elliptical incision around the base of the horn. The incision should

be 0.5 cm from the horn skin junction.

– The cornual vessels are located in the temporal fossa by blunt

dissection and ligated

– The skin flap should be ascertained by separating underlying tissues

– the periostum of frontal bone is exposed.

– Horn should be removed from the base with the help of saw or

embryotomy wire leaving the skin flap. Haemorrhage if any should be

ligated

– The extra bone should be trimmed and both edges of the skin flaps are

brought together and sutured by interrupted or mattress suture.

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Disbudding • It involves the removal of the horn buds.

• The ideal age for disbudding is 1-2 weeks old, when the horn buds project 5-10 mm,,

are easily palpable, haemorrhage is nil and a disbudding iron can be used alone.

• In this age of animal, the horn may be disbudded by application of a local caustic

compound (NaoH, KOH, etc)

• Indication:• Improve stock management

• To enhance the physical appearance

• To prevent potential aggressive behavior towards other members of herd

• to reduce traumatic damage to other individuals, especially udder and skin injury.

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Procedure• Analgesia:

– Achieved by cornual nerve block

• Technique:

– Hairs around the base of buds are clipped and site should be prepared aseptically.

– Vaseline should be applied all around the base of the horn bud and eye should be

covered with clean cloth

– On the horn bud a potassium or sodium hydroxide stick is applied wit firm pressure in a

circular fashion till oozing of blood occurs.

– Or Horn bud is removed with the help of sharp knife along with 0.25 cm wide piece of

skin with the base of button. The hemorrhage should be checked by digital pressure.

– Or Debudding with a hot iron or electrically operated debudder should be applied. The

horn bud and its surrounding tissue should be burnt in circular fashion . However, too

much pressure should be avoided.