The document discusses horn anatomy and affections in cattle. It notes that horns are formed by the frontal bones and become hollow. The base is thin and the horn thickens towards the apex. Blood and nerve supply are described. Major horn affections include avulsion, fracture, and horn cancer. Treatment for fractures may include amputation. Dehorning involves removing the horn at the base through elliptical incision and sawing. Disbudding young calves removes small horn buds using a caustic compound or hot iron. Procedures are done with local anesthesia and analgesia.

1. Affection of horn
Dr. Bikash Puri
Assist. Professor
Nepal Polytechnic Institute, Chitwan
1Dr. 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.
2Dr. Bikash Puri

3. 3Dr. Bikash Puri

4. 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.
4Dr. Bikash Puri

5. 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
5Dr. Bikash Puri

6. 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.
6Dr. Bikash Puri

7. 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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8. Dehorning
• Site of Operation
– At the base of the horn
8Dr. Bikash Puri

9. 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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10. Cornual Nerve block
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11. 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.
11Dr. Bikash Puri

12. 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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13. 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.
13Dr. Bikash Puri