How Should I Treat Fractures In My Dog?

Did your dog break his back?

Did your dog break his limb/s?

Does your dog have an open fracture?

Did your dog break his ribs?

Muzzle the dog, if necessary, then gently pull it onto a flat board without bending its back. You will need to strap him in place to limit movement but should avoid putting any pressure on the neck or back. It is vital to never try and splint a broken back. Take the dog to a vet immediately.

Muzzle the dog, then gently slide a clean towel under the broken limb. Cover the exposed part with clean gauze like a bandage or a clean dish or sanitary towel. Do not apply antiseptic or ointment. Support the broken limb with a folded towel. Do not try to re-set the bone; the splint will help prevent damage to nerves, vessels, and other tissues until a veterinarian can treat the break with the aid of general anesthesia. Once you have splinted the bone, lift the dog and transport him immediately to the vet, keeping him warm to prevent shock.

If the break is “closed,” the gauze is not needed and a rolled-up newspaper, magazine, or similarly sturdy material can be used to splint the leg. If splinting causes the dog severe pain, don’t force it. support the broken limb with a folded towel. Do not try to re-set the bone; the splint will help prevent damage to nerves, vessels, and other tissues until a veterinarian can treat the break with the aid of general anesthesia. Once you have splinted the bone, lift the dog and transport him immediately to the vet, keeping him warm to prevent shock.

Muzzle the dog, if necessary, but only if it has no difficulty breathing. Check the chest for open wounds and cover them with clean gauze, then wrap the whole chest area with clean, torn sheets. The sheets should be wrapped firmly, but not so tight that they interfere with breathing. Also, don't support the dog by his chest when lifting or carrying him to the veterinarian. If you notice that the chest is bulging, wrap it tight enough to cover the bulge. If the bulge is firm, it’s probably the end of a broken rib. If it is soft, it could mean the lung is punctured. If the dog emits a sucking sound, the chest cavity has been breached, which requires immediate veterinary assistance.

Broken tails are extremely difficult to manage, even for a trained expert. If the tail appears to be broken but there is no blood or bone visible and the dog does not seem to be in pain, immediate emergency care is not essential - that is, as long as the end of the tail does not become discolored. Make an appointment to see the vet within 24 hours and keep an eye on the problem.