In some cases of dystocia the obturator nerve, (or nerves, if the involvement is bilateral), becomes injured by being caught between the maternal pelvis and some dense part of the fetus.  This results in paralysis of the adductors of the thigh if sufficient injury is done.

It is said that nerves become over-stretched and held tense, in certain positions in which animals are obliged to remain while cast in confinement such as in some instances where unusual methods of restraint are employed.  When the fore feet are drawn backward in such manner that great strain is put upon the radial nerve, it suffers more or less injury, and this is followed by partial or complete paralysis which may be temporary or permanent.

Degenerative changes affecting nerves, as in other tissues, occur and more or less locomotory impediment will follow—­this depending upon the nerve or nerves affected and the nature of such involvement.  Tumors may surround nerves and eventually the nerve so exposed becomes implicated in the destructive process.  Before degenerative changes take place in the nerve substance, in such cases, pressure may completely paralyze a nerve when it is so situated.  Melanotic tumors in the paraproctal tissue in some cases, because of the large size of the new-growths, cause paralysis of the sciatic nerve.  The author has seen one case of brachial paralysis occasioned by an enormous development of fibrous tissue involving the structures about the ulna.

AFFECTIONS OF BLOOD VESSELS.

Lameness caused by disturbances of circulation may be due to structural affection of vessels, or functional disorders of the heart, and in some instances, a combination of these causes may be active.

Direct involvement of vessels is the commoner form of circulatory disturbance which occasions lameness, and the most frequent cause is of parasitic origin.  Sclerostomiasis with attendant arteritis, thrombus formation and subsequent lodgement of emboli in the iliac, femoral, or other arteries, causes sufficient obstruction to prevent free circulation of blood, and the characteristic lameness of thrombosis results.

Indirect injury to vessels may occur because of contused wounds and subsequent inflammation of tissues supplied by such vessels.  If the injury be of sufficient extent, considerable extravasation of blood will take place and the painfully swollen parts necessarily impair locomotion.  In such instances lymph vessels participate in the disturbance, and the condition then becomes one wherein lymphangitis is the predominant disturbing element.

Angiomatous tumors are occasionally found affecting horses’ legs—­usually the result of some injury; and because of their size or position, they mechanically interfere with function.  Furthermore, when such tumors are located on the inner or flexor side of joints, enough pain is occasioned that affected animals show evidence of distress, usually by intermittent lameness.