In general dogs are very tough animals and broken bones are not a common issue that dog owner's have to worry about on a regular basis. Working dogs or dogs that are around livestock have the greatest chance of being kicked or stepped on that can cause broken leg bones, while dogs that do a lot of jumping are also more likely to break bones or cause damage to the spine or hip joints. Car accidents, falls or other types of trauma are the most common causes of broken bones in house dogs and family pets.
Knowing what to do if your dog breaks a bone is important since the emergency first aid treatment can either help the situation and aid in full recovery or cause serious complications at a later point. Ideally if a broken bone is suspected the dog should be immobilized and immediately taken to a vet for examination and setting of the bone as well as an overall check-up for other potential injuries.
The first and most important issue is that the owner has to know what to look for in the case of a fracture of a bone. In compound fractures, where the broken edges of the bone protrude through the skin the diagnosis is much easier for the owner but also much more difficult to deal with since there is an open wound complication along with the broken bone. Infection both deep tissue and at the site of the wound is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Start by flushing the area with warm, clean water to remove any dirt or material. The next step is to very loosely cover the wound with sterile gauze of a clean cloth to prevent any additional debris from getting onto or into the wound. Immobilize the limb in the same fashion you would if the bone was not exposed, which will be described below. Compound fractures should never be set by the owner as there is too much risk of actually causing infection within the bone itself, typically a fatal infection unless aggressive antibiotic treatments are started immediately. In addition the vet will need to remove any bone shards or debris that can delay healing or serious restrict movement for the dog after the bone heals.
Simple fractures are breaks that don't protrude from the skin. They can be single or multiple fractures of the same bone or different bones within the leg or body. Typically simple fractures will cause the dog to limp or hold the limb off the ground, however sometimes the dog will continue to use the limb, just walk on the toes or with the limb held at an unusual position or angle. Often the leg is kept very straight or seems to bend atypically. As the dog uses the broken limb the area will become hot to the touch and will usually swell up and be very painful to the dog. If you press on the area or even attempt to move the limb with your hand the dog will be in pain and may respond aggressively when you try to move or touch the leg, rib area or even the hips or tail, depending on where the fracture may be.
Broken ribs will result in the dog favoring his or her side and not putting any pressure on the area when resting. The dog may sit or stand with great difficulty and may yelp in pain if they move suddenly. The broken rib may be easy to feel under the skin if the dog is not overweight. In the case of a broken rib that is pressing into or has punctured the lung, labored breathing, frothy, bloody foam or saliva at the mouth and nostrils as well as obvious distress will be very evident. It is important to immediately immobilize the dog by wrapping them in a sheet or towel and keeping them as still as possible. Get the dog to the vet immediately as delays can be deadly.
Spinal cord fractures and injuries are often difficult to diagnosis without x-rays and imagining processes. In severe cases the dog may exhibit signs of paralysis, especially in the hind legs if the break is behind the shoulder area. The tail may also be held at a very low angle or may not move at all. Some dogs may have no ability to control their bladder or bowels with a severe break that has damaged the nerves in the spinal cord. Getting the dog to the vet without delay can result in a very positive treatment if the break has not damaged the spinal cord. Breaks in the neck above the shoulders may result in full paralysis or the dog holding the head down and in a fixed position. With any type of suspected neck or back fracture early treatment and immobilization of the dog on the way to the vets is essential.
To immobilize a leg regardless of the type of fracture use any type of stiff material. For small to medium or even large breeds a magazine can be rolled lengthwise down the leg and taped together over the knee joint, making a solid yet gentle type of brace. If the dog is too small or the hind leg is injured, Popsicle sticks, tongue depressors or even strips of thick cloth or newspaper can be used. Elastic or tensor bandages should not be used unless there is something solid underneath since it is easy to tighten them too much and cut off the blood supply to the limb.
Unless advised by a vet do not give your dog any type of pain killer or anti-inflammatory medications prior to the vet examining the dog. Human pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs can be lethal to dogs, even in very small doses. If your vet instructs you to give a human medication verify all dosages and confirm before giving to the dog. Typically with compound fractures the vet will not prescribe these medications as they can actually cause more bleeding and may adversely affect the dog.
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