Pet First Aid: Fractures

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

19 Apr 2007 07:07 PM

Do you know how many bones are in a dog's body? In a cat's body? Dogs have around 319 bones; cats have around 244. Any of the bones in an animal's body can be broken, and it usually happens as a result of some kind of trauma -- like a car accident or a fall. If your pet breaks a bone, he or she may have other serious injuries too.

Watch for signs of pain to clue you in to where the break is. Your pet may favor a leg, have difficulty breathing, or refuse to get up. There are two kinds of fracture: an open fracture, where the bone breaks through the skin and a closed fracture, where the muscle and other tissue contain the bone.

Here's what to do if your pet has a broken bone:

1. Check for shock. The trauma that caused the fracture can be overwhelming, slowing down circulation and sending your pet into shock. If your pet is acting dizzy, seems unaware of surroundings, or has pale gums, he's probably in shock. Wrap him in a blanket and rub a drop of honey or Karo syrup on his gums to keep his blood sugar up. A pet in shock can stop breathing, so you may need to perform CPR or artificial respiration.
2. Muzzle your pet if necessary. The pain and trauma can cause even the gentlest pet to lash out. If your pet is breathing normally and does not have a face, jaw, or neck injury, you can use a muzzle. Muzzles are not recommended for pets with short snouts, like Pugs and Persians.
3. Don't move any exposed bones. Don't try to pull any bones back into alignment. For an open fracture, cover the exposed area with clean cloth or sterile gauze soaked in saline solution.
4. Stop any bleeding. You can apply direct pressure if your pet is bleeding AND there is no visible bone.

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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