If you think your dog might have fractured a leg, or if you’ve already taken it to the vet after an accident and it’s been given a fracture diagnosis, then it’s essential to know what to do next. Car accidents, falls. and trauma often cause fractures. So, how can you identify whether your dog has fractured its leg and what should be done about it?
How Long Should You Wait After Your Dog Gets Hurt, Before Visiting The Vet?
You should wait at least 24 hours after your dog gets hurt to take it to the vet. Many things can happen in that time, so it’s best to wait until you know whether your dog needs help. Some symptoms that indicate a need for immediate attention include:
- Your dog is not able to stand or put pressure on his leg.
- It has trouble breathing or is finding it difficult to move around.
If these symptoms occur, make an appointment with your vet immediately. If they do not happen, but you’re still concerned about how long it will be before he is able to walk again, here are some other tips:
- Wait until the pain is gone. This can take between two days and six weeks, depending on where on the body it was injured. For example, a dislocated hip might take longer than a broken front leg.
- If your dog seems uncomfortable when walking or eating dinner with you and isn’t just acting out because he wants something else, then chances are good that it needs medical attention.
How Will The Vet Treat A Fractured Leg?
The vet will clean, disinfect and bandage the wound. Your dog will also receive painkillers to reduce pain and swelling in its leg. You can easily find painkillers and other medications for dogs on online stores like PetCareRx. They may have to wear a cast or splint for several weeks while they recover from their fracture.
You should speak with your vet about how you can best care for your dog at home while they heal their broken leg. The vet will instruct you on what food is suitable for them and how much exercise they should get after recovering from surgery.
What Exercise Should You Avoid?
Physical exercise is essential to help your dog recover after a fracture. But you should strictly prevent them from doing the following:
- Jumping or running in general
- Climbing flights of stairs
- Rough play with other dogs (or humans)
- Swimming
- Moving on slippery surfaces, such as icy sidewalks or floors, can cause further injury and pain to your dog’s joints.
Some owners might be tempted to let their injured dog run around in the backyard for a bit after surgery. While this is okay for a few days, you mustn’t allow your dog to get too excited while doing this activity so as not to cause any further damage.
What Should You Look Out For When Your Dog Is Using A Cast Or Splint?
Fractures are common in dogs as they tend to be reckless at times due to excitement. But they need to be treated appropriately once they get a fracture, as it could affect their long-term health if left untreated.
- The cast should fit your dog appropriately and not too tightly. An overly tight cast can cause discomfort for your pet and make it difficult for them to move around.
- Check the leg regularly for signs of infection. Suppose you notice any redness, irritation, or swelling in the area where the fracture occurred. In that case, you must immediately contact your veterinarian, which could indicate an infection developing under the cast.
- Keep your dog’s leg elevated whenever possible. This will help reduce the healing time and relieve pain caused by pressure on surrounding tissues. You can elevate its leg by placing pillows under the paw, so it doesn’t have to put weight while standing up or lying down. However, bear in mind that if a dog has been sedentary (meaning they don’t walk much) or obese (meaning they weigh more than average), then it might be best not to place anything under their feet. Doing so could cause them further injury instead of helping them heal properly.
Find out how much weight each animal can carry without causing problems such as skin breakdowns due to friction against hard surfaces like wooden flooring.
Conclusion
If your dog has a fractured leg, you should take it to the vet for treatment as soon as possible. They’re usually caused by car accidents, falls, and trauma. You should always get expert advice if you suspect a fracture in your dog’s leg. Taking care of their mood swings and dietary habits could be a real pain while they’re at it, but pampering them might be really helpful.
It will elevate their mood as well as bring you much peace along the way. You can also find a lot of supplements in bulk, suggested by your vet. These are certified and branded products to help your friend get better asap.
We earnestly hope that this article has helped you understand what to do if your dog has a fracture and how to take care of them when they need you the most.
