Fractures in Dogs and Cats

1 Symptoms

A fracture is loss of the continuity of bone or cartilage, usually from force such as a car strike, fall, or crushing blow; small breeds (e.g., toy poodles) fracture more often. It may also arise from bone disease (osteomyelitis, tumor, nutritional bone disease).

Signs include deformity and shifting of the broken segments (angulation, shortening, rotation). The limb may look bent, short, or long; abnormal movement occurs at the break; a grating sound (crepitus) may be felt. Bleeding, swelling, and pain appear, with lameness in limb fractures and paralysis in spinal fractures.

Pathologic fractures occur with little force when bone is weakened by disease.

2 Causes and Transmission

Direct trauma (car, blow, crush), indirect trauma (running, jumping, twisting, falling), or weakened bone from disease.

3 Diagnosis

The veterinarian examines for deformity, abnormal motion, and crepitus, and confirms with radiographs (X-rays) to plan fixation. Open fractures are assessed for contamination and bleeding.

4 Treatment

Principle: realign and stabilize the bone (external or internal fixation), manage pain and infection, and support healing.

Open, bleeding fractures are bandaged at once. Depending on the site, the veterinarian uses splints/casts or plates, pins, or wires; activity is restricted for about 2 weeks after external fixation and longer for internal. Veterinary-prescribed antimicrobials prevent infection, and nutrition (vitamin A/D, calcium) supports bone repair. Implants are removed only after X-ray confirmation of healing.

5 Prevention

Reduce fall and traffic risk; keep small dogs safe from jumps. For pets with bone disease, manage the underlying condition to avoid pathologic fractures.