If this article has caught your attention, it may be that your pet has had the misfortune of suffering a fractured bone.  This is a traumatic experience for both you and your pet, and there are a few things you should know to help both of you make the best of a bad situation!

First, it’s quite likely that your veterinarian will recommend surgical stabilization of the fracture.  Indeed, dogs and cats with fractures are treated surgically more often than are humans.  There are two primary reasons for this:

1. Compared to humans, animals more commonly fracture the major bones closest to the body, the femur in the hind limb and the humerus in the front limb.  (Fractures in these bones are often due to major traumas in our pets, such as automobile accidents.)  Fractures of the femur and humerus do not lend themselves to stabilization with splints or casts.
   
   
2. Placing and maintaining casts or splints are major challenges in dogs and cats. Keeping casts clean and dry, and avoiding pressure sores under the bandage material, can be nearly impossible in active pets.  In addition, in very small animals, the weight of a cast or splint may make it difficult to impossible for the animal to move around.

Surgery

If surgery is recommended, it will involve the application of various metal surgical implants such as pins, wires, plates, or screws.  The primary goal of fracture fixation surgeries is to restore broken bones to their original anatomic position and rigidly fix them in place while healing occurs.  In some cases, the fracture may be too severe to permit perfect anatomic restoration of all pieces, but there will still usually be a way of providing stability to the fractured bone and to allow use of the limb during the healing period.

Post-Operative Care

After surgery, it will be your job as the owner to follow the post-operative care instructions very closely.  While most animals will be encouraged to use the surgically-repaired limb, this activity must be under strict control.  Surgical implants are strong but neither the implants nor the healing bone can withstand high energy or high impact movements.

Keeping the animal from licking at the surgical incision is imperative, at least until the sutures are removed.  Persistent licking at a surgical wound will delay healing and is the major cause of incision infections.

Pain Control

How do you know if your pet is painful after surgery?  Obviously, some discomfort is to be expected after the trauma of the injury and subsequent surgery.  Your veterinarian will provide some pain relief, especially during the in-hospital period.  After your pet comes home, you should watch for signs of pain by observing whether your pet is able to settle down, rest, and sleep.  Animals in chronic pain have difficulty getting comfortable and will be reluctant to sleep for normal periods.  You should also watch the limb for signs of swelling, redness, or discharge at the surgery site.  The pet’s appetite and changes in the use of the limb are also critical signs to monitor.  A patient who has been bearing some weight on the leg and suddenly stops doing so, or has a sudden decrease in appetite, should be reported to your veterinarian.

The following are a few common surgically-repaired fractures in small animals.

Humeral Condylar Fractures
Fractures involving the very end of the humerus, at the elbow joint, are common in puppies, especially between 4 to 6 months of age.  These are most common in spaniel breeds, but can occur in many other types of dogs.  Most occur due to “impact injuries” (e.g., puppy jumped off a high place or fell from the owner’s arms).  Surgery is necessary to reestablish normal elbow function.

Lateral Humeral Condylar Fracture.

Photo by Dr. Greg Harasen.

Lateral Humeral Condylar Fracture Repaired With Screws

Photo by Dr. Greg Harasen.

Distal Radius and Ulna Fractures

Another “impact” fracture is commonly seen in small or Toy breeds of dogs.  This involves fracture near the bottom of the front limb, just above the carpus or “wrist joint.” Pomeranians, Poodles, Chihuahuas, Italian Greyhounds, and Miniature Pinschers are some of the breeds that commonly get this fracture.  It’s a particular problem in dogs with small, “spindly” bones because they have a more limited blood supply to this area of the bone than larger breeds do.  The lower blood supply has a dramatic effect on healing of this fracture, so attempts at casting or splinting frequently meet with failure.  Surgical stabilization, often with a bone plate and screws, brings much more consistent results.

Distal Radius and Ulna Fracture

Toy Breed Dog. Photo by Dr. Greg Harasen.

Radius and Ulna Fracture Repaired

Bone plate and screws. Photo by Dr. Greg Harasen.

Other Examples of Small Animal Fractures

Tibial Fracture In A Cat

Photo by Dr. Greg Harasen.

Tibial Fracture In A Cat

Severe Femoral Fracture In A Cat

Photo by Dr. Greg Harasen

Severe Femoral Fracture In A Cat

Stabilization of Femoral Fracture in A Cat

Photo by Dr. Greg Harasen.

Stabilization of the severe femoral fracture was done using a pin and external skeletal fixator. While restoration and fixation of all pieces was not possible, this repair technique provided stability and allowed the cat to use the leg during the healing period.