Malignant melanoma over nasal ridge in a bullock and repair of horn fracture using external splints in two bullocks

A non-descript, grey coloured bullock aged 5 years was presented with an unusually large sized, black tumerous growth over the nasal ridge. Surgical excision of the growth was performed under xylazine hydrochloride sedation and local ring block infiltration. Subcutaneous tissues and skin were closed routinely. The excised mass measured 28 cm x 16 cm x 11 cm in size and weighed 2.18 kg. Postoperatively, Streptopencillin and Nimesulide were administered for 5 days. Skin sutures were removed on 10^th postoperative day. The animal recovered uneventfully. The histopathological findings confirmed the growth as malignant melanoma. There were pleomorphic cells with varying amount of melanin and numerous mitotic figures. In other two bullocks, horn fractures were treated using iron splints using iron bars, rings, nuts and bolts. Antibiotics and antinflammatory drugs were administered. The method of applying external splints was economical and can allow wound dressing and can be adopted in field.