How Can I Treat My Dog’s broken Leg At Home?

The first thing to do is to immobilize your pet, to reduce its pain and prevent the fracture from getting worse by moving the bone again.

To do this, start by trying to approach the injured dog gently and reassure him, then tie him up or lock him in a box or crate to take him to the emergency room.

Be careful not to get bitten: an injured dog is often unpredictable and aggressive, so don’t overestimate the bond you have with your doggie and think of him as a wild animal.

Be careful, put on gloves to protect yourself from bites and, if your dog seems too aggressive, put a muzzle on him while he’s being cared for.

If the fracture is in one of his legs, you can carefully wrap him in a thick cloth (blanket, towel) without compressing the wound, to prevent the animal from moving his leg.

If you have the necessary equipment, you can also make a Robert Jones bandage to stabilize the limb and limit soft tissue swelling.

Once this has been done, it is imperative that you take the animal to a veterinarian who will be able to take care of the injury and examine the extent of the damage.

In fact, if a shock is powerful enough to cause a fracture, than chances are that other serious damage inside the animal’s body might be present.

In particular, the broken leg’s bone may have shifted and punctured a nearby organ, as may be the case with the lung in a fractured rib.

In addition, only a veterinarian will be able to treat a fracture, especially if the bone has been displaced and needs to be put back in place.

Once your pet returns home, it must be put to rest until the injury has completely healed.

He will then have to undergo a period of rehabilitation, more or less long depending on the severity of the fracture and the bone affected.

Frequently asked questions by owners about fractures in dogs

My dog has a fracture, what can I do?

In the event of a fracture, the only thing to do is to take your pet to a veterinarian who has the skills and equipment to treat it.

The veterinarian will also be able to give your doggie various tests to make sure there are no other injuries.

The force of a shock necessary to cause a fracture is indeed likely to have caused internal damage to your dog’s body (internal bleeding, burst spleen, etc.).

How can you help a dog with a broken leg while waiting to take him to the emergency room?

While waiting for your dog to be taken care of, it is important to reassure him, immobilize him and try to reduce his fracture.

If your doggie is small, put him in a cardboard box or a transport crate adapted to his size.

Reassure him, and if his broken leg is not too painful, wrap it in a blanket or try to make a Robert Jones bandage.

In dogs – as in humans – a fracture is a serious injury, which must be treated by a healthcare professional to avoid complications or life-long consequences.

However, first aid by the owner can make a difference: the sooner a dog is immobilized, its wound disinfected and contained, the easier it will be to care for it.

Has your dog ever suffered a bone fracture? Share your experience or ask us your questions by commenting on this article!

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