settlementcocaBroken bones are relatively common in dogs, accounting for about one-third of reported animal injuries. While any bone can be broken, dogs’ most commonly broken bones are the leg bones (femur), followed by the ribs.
If your dog suffers a broken bone, it is important to manage the injury properly for a speedy recovery. This means keeping the fracture immobilized and restricting activity as much as possible.
What Are Broken Bones in Dogs?
Several things can cause broken bones in dogs, including car accidents, falls, and injuries sustained while playing. Broken bones are most common in young dogs that are more active and have smaller bones more prone to breaking.
Signs of a broken bone vary depending on the location and severity of the fracture but may include:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Lameness.
If you believe your pet is fractured, immediately take it to an animal orthopedic surgeon for evaluation.
Types of a Broken Bone
- Incomplete or complete fracture. It is the most usual type of fracture and is classified by the degree of separation between the broken pieces of bone.
- Open or closed fracture. This is associated with whether or not the bone has pierced the skin. If it has, the fracture is considered open.
Transverse, oblique, or comminuted. This is associated with the angle of the break. Transverse is when the break is perpendicular to the long axis of the bone. Oblique is when it’s at an angle. And comminuted is when the bone has been broken into multiple pieces.
Common Treatments for Broken Bones in Dogs
If your vet confirms that your dog’s bone is broken, they will likely immobilize the fracture with a cast or splint in the dog surgery center. In some cases, surgery is unnecessary, and the fracture will heal on its own.
Restricting activity is key to a speedy recovery, so keep your dog on a restricted activity diet until the bone heals. This may mean keeping them confined to a small area or even indoors for a few weeks.
The recovery period for a broken bone in dogs usually lasts around six to eight weeks but may depend on the severity of the fracture. With proper care, your dog should make a full recovery.
How to Manage a Fractured Dog
If your dog has had surgery, it is crucial to follow the veterinarian’s instructions for post-operative care. Here are tips on how to manage a fractured dog without surgery:
- Keep the fracture immobilized with a cast or splint.
- Restrict activity as much as possible. This may mean keeping your dog confined to a small area or even indoors for a few weeks.
- Provide plenty of relaxation.
- Make sure that they always have plenty of clean water and food.
- Monitor your dog for signs of infection or other complications.
As a summary
If your dog breaks a bone, you should immobilize the fracture, restrict activity, and provide plenty of rest. Depending on the severity of the broken bone, surgery may be recommended. With proper care, your dog should make a full recovery.
On top of these, make sure to choose a reputable vet clinic. See to it that they have specialists with experience treating broken bones in dogs. Ask around for recommendations or go online and search “veterinary center near me” to narrow your search within your area. Remember, severe dog broken bones are a condition that needs immediate attention.
