A fracture is an unfortunately common injury in dogs. A shock, a fall, a fight, an illness ... the causes are numerous and can be more or less serious. There are several types of fractures, the consequences of which are variable for animal health. Anyway, this type of injury requires an emergency consultation with the veterinarian. Here are our tips for doing the right thing when your dog breaks a limb.
What are the main causes of fractures in dogs?
The risk of fracture is present in all dogs; it is a broken bone that can be caused by several factors:
Accident: a collision, shock, fall or fight can cause a fracture.
A disease: certain pathologies, such as bone tumors, can lead to the fractures of weakened bones, even without shock or risky situation.
What are the symptoms of a fracture in dogs?
A fracture causes severe pain and can be a source of anxiety, stress, fear or even aggression in dogs. A suffering animal can completely change its behavior, which is why it is important to remain vigilant and avoid touching the weakened area, because the risk of biting is present.
An animal with a fracture may have the following symptoms:
Lameness may be visible if a limb is affected, knowing that the dog may or may not be able to put the injured paw on the ground.
A more or less significant wound when the fracture is open, with a protrusion of the bones outwards.
The fractured limb is swollen and purplish.
The dog has an abnormal behavior: it moans, barks, cries, seeks petting, it isolates itself and remains prostrate, or it can be aggressive, grunt or bite if it is approached.
In all cases, it is imperative to urgently consult the veterinarian. A fracture is serious and should not be left untreated. The well-being and health and even the survival of the dog are at stake.
What to do when your dog breaks a limb?
The first steps to adopt
When a dog has a broken bone, it is important to immobilize him immediately so as not to aggravate the injury. To do this, approach the injured dog gently and reassure him by speaking to him in a soft and reassuring voice. Avoid panicking, as you would communicate stress to them, which could cause them to panic. Tie him up or put him in a transport case to take him to the vet. Put a muzzle on him if he is too aggressive or if he tries to bite you. Be extremely vigilant and avoid handling your pet too much, as one fracture can hide another, more serious one. Ideally, move your dog in groups to limit the movements of his body.
If the limb fracture is accessible without risk, wrap the injured paw with a thick towel or blanket so that the animal cannot move it, but be careful not to compress it so as not to aggravate it.
If the fracture is open, cover the wound with a sterile dressing or, failing that, with a clean cloth to avoid infection.
In the event of a haemorrhage, stop the haemorrhage by pressing compresses or a clean cloth over the wound and fix them with bandages. If the blood continues to flow profusely, form a tourniquet just above the wound using a cord or a clean cloth, but it should not stay in place for long!
Go immediately to the veterinarian. Do not wait, as a fracture can have serious consequences and the shock or fall that caused the fracture may have caused other internal damage that is not visible but dangerous. In addition, the pain can be unbearable for the doggie. If your veterinarian cannot receive you immediately, go to the nearest veterinary emergency.
Consult the veterinarian
The veterinarian will start by examining the dog to confirm or not the fracture hypothesis. The diagnosis must be confirmed by radiographs from several angles of view in order to note the involvement of the affected bone (s). Depending on the condition of the animal, other x-rays can be done to look for other lesions, but also ultrasounds because of the risk of possible lesions and a blood test.
The prognosis and treatment depend on the condition of the dog. In the event of significant trauma, the first 48 hours are the most decisive. The veterinarian stabilizes the general condition of the dog before treating the fracture. If the dog’s condition isn’t stabilized, it’s not an option to operate, as surgery can cost him his life. The dog can therefore be hospitalized for several days to be stabilized before treatment.
Treatment will then depend on the nature of the fracture. She may be :
Incomplete: the bone is cracked and only partially broken.
Complete: the bone is broken into at least two fragments, with or without displacement of the bone fragments.
Complex: several displaced and poorly located fragments.
Open: the fracture caused a wound with a protruding bone.
To hope for healing of the fractured bone, the affected limb must be returned to its original position and kept immobilized. This immobilization can be carried out using a splint, a reinforced dressing or, in the event of a complex fracture with displacement of the bones, the veterinarian can place pins, nails, screws or plates, or even external fixators. Amputation is sometimes considered, but it is rare.
The animal is then regularly monitored and undergoes several x-rays to ensure the proper progress of the healing. In parallel, the dog is placed on medication based on antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and analgesics.
Rest assured, dogs are much more robust than us. They recover most of the time from a well-treated fracture and are able to return to normal life very quickly. However, at the slightest doubtful sign, do not hesitate to consult again.