Pet Fractures

Pets are so much more than just animals living in our homes. They are our companions and, in many cases, our family members. As such, we want to ensure they are happy and healthy. Unfortunately, accidents can happen that cause injury that hampers that healthiness. Caring Hands Veterinary Clinic of Philadelphia, PA, offers information on pet fractures. 

Symptoms of a Pet Fracture

Some bone fractures are very obvious such as with a bone protruding from the skin, but not all. Consider the following symptoms that might tell you that your pet is suffering from a broken bone:

• Swelling and bruising. This one can be hard on pets with long hair, but swelling and bruising is a good sign of a problem underneath the skin.
• Lameness. Watch your pet walk. Are they avoiding putting weight on one of their limbs? This might be a sign of a strain, or it could be a broken bone.
• Sudden personality change. If your pet is suddenly aggressive when you touch them in certain areas or has another type of sudden personality change, an underlying medical condition may be to blame. Sudden aggressive behavior is often a sign of pain, and that pain may be related to a pet fracture. 

How Your Veterinarian Treats Pet Fractures

There are two primary types of pet fractures:

• Incomplete fractures in which the bone is partially broken but remains in one complete piece. 

• Complete fractures in which the bone is fully broken and separated into at least two pieces. 

How a veterinarian team will treat a pet fracture will first depend upon what type of fracture it is. Thus, the first step of treatment is a full physical exam and X-ray to determine what the fracture looks like. Once they determine the extent of the injury, they will typically offer one or more of the following common treatments for a pet fracture:

• Splint or cast. This technique is best for simple and incomplete fractures. Casts work to conform the injured limb, keeping it stable and allowing the natural healing process to knit it back in place.
• Bone plating. Sometimes, the body needs additional help to put a bone back together. Bone plating helps in these situations by using internal metal plates and screws that work to stabilize the bones.
• External fixation device. External fixation devices are devices fixed on the outside of a pet's body that work to keep the injured bone in place. They are most often used in more serious complex fracture situations.

Schedule Your Pet's Veterinarian Appointment Today

Do you suspect your pet has a fracture? If so, please contact our Philadelphia, PA, team today to schedule an appointment at (215) 621-8959 . Pet fractures that are not promptly administered can result in debilitating lifelong issues. Let Caring Hands Veterinary Clinic help your pet.