1. External fixation of fractures of the appendages
2. As an adjunct to internal fixation
3. Immobilization of the limb following tendon repair or surgery
4. Protection of self-mutilation 
5. To prevent excess motion following plastic or reconstructive surgery

Small animal practitioners have found fiberglass casts highly effective when indicated for the external fixation of fractured appendages or as an adjunct to internal fixation such as pinning or plating.

Equine practitioners have found fiberglass casts more appropriate for the protection of heel bulb lacerations, lacerations of the flexor tendons and for laminitis. Given the advancements in internal fixation in equine orthopedic surgery, external fixation of fractures by casting alone would rarely be the treatment of choice. Fiberglass casts may be used following surgical repair of distal limb fractures to prevent further injury, particularly during postoperative recovery. They may also be effective in the management of midbody sesamoid fractures following a bone graft, by keeping the leg in a flexed position.

Bovine practitioners have found fiberglass casts an excellent choice for the external fixation of forelimb fractures in neonates resulting from assisted parturition or injuries shortly after birth, as well as for treatment in a variety of hoof and limb conditions in adults.

Fiberglass tape, such as DELTA LITE* "S" Fiberglass Casting Tape, is 20 times stronger and one-fourth the weight of regular plaster casts or splints. Because fiberglass casts are waterproof and durable, less replacement cast material is required. In some instances, it is possible to prepare a bivalve cast and then rejoin the halves after inspection or treatment of soft tissue wounds. The fiberglass casting tape is easily folded or tucked along body contours due to the excellent conformability of the material.

When using fiberglass casting tape, an acrylic fabric stockinet and cast padding, such as DELTA NET* Synthetic Stockinet and DELTA ROL* Cast Padding is recommended. These materials provide excellent moisture transfer characteristics so that the entire cast will dry quickly should the cast become wet. The high porosity of DELTA LITE "S" Fiberglass Casting Tape, combined with nonabsorbent undercast materials such as DELTA NET Synthetic Stockinet and DELTA-ROL Cast Padding, provide a cool comfortable cast. Most importantly, the use of fiberglass casts has shown a lower incidence of the type of skin irritation often associated with the use of plaster casts and other bandaging materials used in splints.

Good fiberglass casting technique requires practice and experience. The anatomy of the area to be casted must always be considered. Several basic principles of fiberglass casting should be applied in call cases.

Because patient movement during application can result in the formation of pressure points, it is recommended that all patients be administered a general anesthesia during casting.

The entire area should be clean and dry before casting.

If the hoof is to be covered with the fiberglass casting material, it should be cleaned and disinfected with appropriate materials such as an iodine based solution to prevent foot rot and thrush.

Surgical incisions, lacerations or wounds, if present, should be debrided and, if indicated, sutured and covered with a sterile, non-adhering dressing.

Cast padding should be kept to a minimum, and applied only at pressure points. This eliminates dead space and slippage of the cast. Cast padding is used infrequently in equine and bovine patients.

The cast should be of sufficient length to immobilize the joints above and below the lesion.

Assistants should be advised to use the flats of hands to support the limb during cast application. This will prevent indentations in the cast that may cause pressure sores.

To prevent foreign material from entering the cast and causing irritation with casts applied to horses and cattle, a collar of elastic adhesive tape, such as ELASTIKON* Elastic Adhesive Tape, should be placed around the top and bottom of the finished cast. Half of the tape should lie on the cast and half on the skin.

If horses or cattle are to be kept outside after casting, it is recommended that the hoof be covered with a rubber boot to reduce wear and prevent excessive moisture from entering the cast.

Animal owners must be instructed that cast abuse (chewing, stomping, rubbing), odor or increased lameness are signs of irritation of soft tissue beneath the cast. Alleviation of these signs may require a cast change. Should excessive swelling of the limb occur, the cast must be checked immediately. Owners should also be advised that the animal's activity should be kept to a minimum.

Sharp edges on the top and bottom of the cast should be avoided and, when present, should be well padded.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Mallinckrodt Veterinary acknowledges the contributions of Robert D. Horne, D.V.M., M.S., Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons in the preparation of the Small Animal Fiberglass Casting Techniques section of this manual. Dr. Horne's enthusiasm for this subject is well known. He is a Professor of Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.

Richard DeBowes, D.V.M., M.S. and Karen Nyrop, D.V.M., M.S., contributed the Large Animal Fiberglass Casting Techniques Section. Dr. DeBowes is Assistant Professor of Equine Surgery. Dr. Nyrop is currently practicing in Phoenix, Arizona. Drs. DeBowes and Nyrop are both experienced in teaching fiberglass casting techniques to veterinary students.

In addition, appreciation is expressed to the following members of the Mallinckrodt Veterinary Surgical Products Panel for reviewing the manuscript:

M. Joseph Bojrab, D.V.M., Ph.D. Thomas P. Greiner, D.V.M. Robert R. Steckel, D.V.M. 6995 Alamitos Circle 3614 72nd Street 21 Possum Lane Las Vegas, NV 89120 Moline, IL 61265 Norwalk, CT 06854

Dennis T. Crowe, Jr., D.V.M. Donald A. Hulse, D.V.M. Elizabeth A. Stone, D.V.M. Vet Institute of Trauma Department of Small Animal Dept. of C.A.S.S. College Emergency & Critical Care Medicine and Surgery of Veterinary Medicine 7320 W. Florist College of Veterinary Med. North Carolina St. University Milwaukee, WI 53218 Texas A & M University Raleigh, NC 27606 College Station, TX 77843

Gustave E. Fackelman Jerry H. Johnson, D.V.M., M.S. P.O. Box 1269 P.O. Box 13066 Little Lyford Pond Camps Lexington, KY 40583 Greenville, ME 04441

Technical assistance was also provided by the Mallinckrodt Veterinary Professional Services Staff

Used with permission from Schering-Plough Animal Health, June 2000