Wed May 21 14:18:06 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Veterinarians at a Madurai polyclinic successfully repaired a fractured jaw in a 5-year-old jallikattu bull. The bull suffered the injury after being hit by a motorcycle while tethered on the roadside. Due to the nature of the fracture and the animal, surgeons opted for external skeletal fixature using Steinmann pins instead of plating. The bull is expected to recover in two months with a diet of soft foods. The veterinarian urged drivers to be cautious of roaming animals to prevent such incidents.

**News Article:**

**Madurai Vets Mend Jallikattu Bull’s Fractured Jaw After Roadside Accident**

**MADURAI, May 21, 2025** – A team of veterinarians at a polyclinic in Madurai successfully repaired the fractured jaw of a 5-year-old bull trained for jallikattu, a traditional bull-taming sport. The bull sustained the injury earlier this week when a motorcyclist collided with it while it was tethered on the side of the road.

“The bull presented with a simple fracture on both sides of its mouth,” explained Veterinary Assistant Surgeon C. Meril Raj. “Due to the location of the injury and the animal’s nature, we ruled out the possibility of using a plate.”

The 300-kg bull, known for its participation in jallikattu events, required both local and general anesthesia to control its movements during the procedure. In lieu of plating, the veterinarians opted for an external skeletal fixature. This involved inserting six Steinmann pins – three on each side – connected by clamps and rods to stabilize the jaw. Stitches were used to repair lacerations on the tongue, gums, and teeth.

Dr. Meril Raj anticipates a two-month recovery period, advising the bull’s owner to feed it a diet of soft foods like fruits and gruel to minimize jaw movement.

The veterinarian also used the incident to highlight the importance of road safety, urging the public to be cautious of animals roaming on the roads. “Even a simple injury can have a lifelong impact on these animals,” he warned.

This successful procedure underscores the vital role veterinarians play in the health and well-being of animals in the Madurai region.

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