About a year after I purchased my dog, I realized that he was really struggling with his health. He just wasn't his lively self, and I was concerned that he was slowly dying. I decided to take him to a veterinarian to have his condition diagnosed, and we were able to learn a lot about his health. Within a few short months, he was on the road to recovery, and I was really grateful that I had done the work to make things better. This blog is all about understanding pet problems and knowing when to seek professional veterinary help.
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It's not common for dogs to break their bones during regular play, even when taking a fall or tripping over something. They have short, strong bones that are hard to break. however, some smaller dogs may break bones if they are handled roughly or getting older. Larger dogs usually have broken bones from a great external force, such as getting hit by a car or being attacked by another animal.
If your dog has a broken bone, here's that you need to know about symptoms, healing, and treatment:
How to Tell
Generally, the symptoms for a broken bone will be similar to symptoms that a human might experience. There will be swelling, reluctance to put weight on the limb, and odd angles that don't look natural. Sometimes you can tell immediately that the bone is broken because the fracture is open, with the bone showing outside the skin. In humans, this is known as a compound fracture.
What to Do
If you suspect a broken bone, try to move your pet as little as possible as you contact the vet. Your pet will need an animal hospital to x-ray the break and assess the damage. If there is an open wound where the bone is showing, lay a clean, dry cloth over the opening to help prevent debris or dirt from getting into the wound. If your animal will not keep still enough for the cloth, you may tie it lightly in place.
Make sure you protect yourself when handling your pet. Broken bones are painful for dogs -- bone pain is one of the worst types of pain. Some dogs may become less responsive because the shock of the pain, but other may become very aggressive, even if it is not their normal personality to lash out. Wear gloves to protect your hands in case your dog bites you, and speak calmly and soothingly. Do not make sudden movements where your dog cannot see what you are doing.
How it Heals
Once your dog gets to the animal hospital, the prognosis of the injury might vary. Broken bones, especially those in the limbs, might be treated with a cast if the break is simple. Your dog will have a cast like a person does. If your dog does have a cast, you will have to keep it clean. Some dogs will hate the cast and try to chew it off or bite it.
When the broken bone is not a limb but instead a body bone, like a rib, treatment is a little bit more complex. Metal plates can be attached the broken area and encourage the growth back together again. And with very bad fractures, your vet will need to perform surgery in order to get all the pieces of the bone aligned and pinned in place.
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