| Broken Bones |
| A break or a crack in a bone is a serious injury that requires professional care. Your Pet is in pain, so expect unexpected behavior. A fracture may exist even if you can't see or feel the break. Greenstick fractures are incomplete breaks and occur whne the bone splinters. There is no dislocation and the skin isn't broken. A simple fracture is a complete break, but the skin remains intact. A simple fracture, if not handled correctly, can easily become a compound fracture. A compound fracture is a complete break that cuts through the skin. Then you face 2 problems, a broken bone and a wound. How can you know if your pet has a broken bone and not a strain or a sprain? a) Sudden, sharp pain b) Swelling c) A change in size, shape, length of the leg d) The sound of bones rubbing together e) Inability to support weight What you should do, if you believe there is a fracture: a) Muzzle the animal (see: How to make a muzzle) b) Splint it, if it isn't a compound fracture (see: Making a splint) c) Quickly and carefully, get your pet to the veterinarian d) In case of a compound fracure, there will bleeding. Try to control the bleeding, if it is heavy, but make sure you don't jostle your pet. (See: Bleeding) |
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