Vancouver Vets: Healthy Dog Series

The aim of first-aid treatment of fractures should be to minimise further damage to the injured part, to make the dog as comfortable as possible and to control any associated haemorrhage. If the fracture involves the head or face it is essential that the dog's airway is kept unobstructed by removing any blood, mucus or other foreign material from the mouth and throat. Wounds may be covered with a clean dressing or cotton material. Immobilisation of the injured limb will do much to prevent further damage and reduce pain. If a Vancouver vets are not accessible it is best to support the fractured limb, holding it in as comfortable a position as possible.

Careless handling, or unskilled attempts at bandaging fractures which have little overlying muscle, may convert a closed fracture into an open one. However, a temporary splint, using a rolled-up newspaper, a piece of wood, or something similar, will provide good support, particularly when the fracture is below the elbow or hock until you are able to reach a Vancouver vet clinic. Dogs that are unable to stand may have neurological injuries and should be lifted on to a flat board or tray and moved very carefully.

TREATMENT OF FRACTURES

Unless there are life-threatening problems most veterinarians, including Vancouver vets at our Vancouver Animal Hospital, will defer treatment of fractures for two to three days. This is to provide time to treat the dog for its other injuries, to treat blood loss and damage to internal organs and to ensure that the dog has no other life-threatening problems.

The treatment of a fracture will vary depending upon its type, the amount of soft tissue damage, the age of the dog and the future activity expected of it. In all cases, however, the fracture must be reduced, aligned and immobilised. Reduction and alignment ensure that the fractured bone ends are fitted together accurately and the previous shape and contour of the bone restored. The fracture is then immobilised by external or internal fixation.

At our Vancouver vet clinic the following types of fixations are used: casts, splints and devices suc as Kirschner splints.