Your dog has a broken bone? What kind of first aid should you give? What about the medical costs?
Hello, dog lovers!
How have you been lately?
Do you enjoy walking, feeding, sports, and other activities with your dog?
There's nothing more wonderful than making happy memories together!
A small accident can turn such happy times into tragedy.
Today, we'll delve into fractures, a common injury in dogs!
What image comes to mind when you hear the word fracture?
- Traumatic Fracture
Fractures caused by external stimuli such as trips, falls, collisions, and traffic accidents
- Stress Fracture
Fractures caused by the development of numerous small cracks due to concentrated force from excessive exercise
- Pathological Fracture
Fractures occur when bone strength is weakened, primarily due to diseases such as osteoporosis and bone tumors.
The above three are the most common types of fractures.
The majority of fractures in dogs are caused by:
"Falls from heights and traffic accidents and other accidents."
Actually, most fractures are traumatic.
Dogs who participate in dog sports or actively move around can suffer fractures and sprains during sports, just like humans. When a dog breaks a bone in its front leg, it loses strength and is often unable to place its foot on the floor. In the case of a sprain, the dog may be in pain but still able to walk.
We hope that owners of such active dogs, as well as those without, will take a look at this article just in case!
Which Dog Breeds Are More Likely to Break Fractures?
Small breeds such as Toy Poodles and Pomeranians are particularly susceptible to fractures. Other examples include Miniature Pinschers and Chihuahuas, who frequently suffer fractures after falling from their owners' hands.
Perhaps because their front or back legs often land on the ground when they fall, small dogs suffer fractures primarily in their legs.
In addition, breeds with naturally thin bones, such as Italian Greyhounds, are at a higher risk of fractures, so care must be taken when raising them. In addition to fractures of the limbs, it's not uncommon for them to break their tails due to repeated collisions caused by tail wagging.
In most dogs, leg fractures are easily noticeable, such as an unnatural gait or pain, but tail fractures may not be painful.
Even in cases of growth plate fractures in immature dogs, owners may not notice them. Therefore, if you notice anything unusual in your dog's daily life, don't be afraid to get your dog checked out as soon as possible!
Broken Leg in Dog! First Aid
If you suspect your dog has a fracture, administer first aid immediately and take him to a veterinarian.
Here, I'd like to introduce this first aid kit!
According to the ANA article, a broken leg is
"Make a simple splint, carefully craft a piece of cardboard or disposable chopsticks, wrap it with cotton wool or a handkerchief, and then wrap the broken part and the surrounding joints in bandages and secure them in place."
It says:
When immobilizing the fracture, be careful not to wrap or over-immobilize the bone too tightly to prevent blood flow.
Once the fracture has been immobilized, keep your dog resting and take it to a veterinarian for treatment.
In the event of an unforeseen accident or serious injury, you will need to immediately take your dog to a veterinarian. On-the-spot judgment is crucial, so act as quickly as possible to save your dog!
Based on an article by AXA, the cost varies depending on the fixation method used.
First, the first one:
Pin and Plate Fixation
This method directly fixes the fractured area with pins or plates through surgery. This is an excellent treatment method that can restore the fracture to its ideal shape. However, since this procedure involves incising the fractured area under general anesthesia, it places a greater strain on your dog's body than other treatments. Therefore, this treatment may not be an option for puppies or older dogs with limited stamina.
Treatment costs, including hospitalization and testing, range from 100,000 to 500,000 yen.
External Fixation
This surgical fixation method fixes the fractured area with pins from the outside of the skin. It does not require a large incision at the fracture site and is used for fractures where the bone protrudes through the skin, jaw fractures caused by periodontal disease, and comminuted fractures that are difficult to fix with a plate. Treatment costs, including testing, anesthesia, and hospitalization, range from 100,000 to 500,000 yen.
External Splinting
This method stabilizes the fracture from the outside. No surgery is required; instead, a cast is used to stabilize the fracture. If the fracture is minor or the bone is not displaced, an aluminum or plastic splint and bandages are used to stabilize the fracture. Treatment costs range from 5,000 to 60,000 yen.
There are three types of treatment, and the cost of fracture treatment varies greatly depending on the breed, individual condition, severity, whether a cast is used for treatment, hospitalization, and surgery.
But don't worry.
In most cases, fractures are covered by pet insurance, so worry about your dog rather than its forehead. ♪
Last
Thank you for reading!
A broken bone in your dog can be very frustrating... We hope this article helps you in case of an emergency! Stay calm and treat your dog's broken bones. ♪
Reference:
