DEHORNING AS THE SURGICAL MANAGEMENT FOR HORN FRACTURE IN A BUFFALO: A CASE REPORT

An eight-year-old pluriparous, non-pregnant graded Murrah cross buffalo was presented with a history of left horn fracture due to trauma and accompanied by serosanguineous to purulent nasal discharge from the ipsilateral nostril and maggot infestation for nine days. Clinical examination revealed a fractured left horn with contamination of the wound and evidence of myiasis. Based on the history and clinical findings,horn fracture with secondary infection was diagnosed. Surgical amputation of the affected horn was performed under standing restraint using local analgesia. The fractured horn was completely removed,the wound was thoroughly debrided, and routine postoperative care was instituted. Antibiotics, analgesic, and multivitamin supplementation were administered for five days, while alternate-day wound dressing and fly-repellent application were continued until satisfactory healing was achieved. Progressive wound contraction and healthy granulation tissue formation were observed during follow-up. Complete healing occurred within 17 days, and skin sutures were removed on day 19. The buffalo recovered uneventfully without postoperative complications. This report highlights the effectiveness of timely horn amputation and appropriate postoperative management in achieving favorable clinical outcomes in buffaloes affected with complicated horn fractures.