Be aware that handling the broken leg will be painful, so you may need to muzzle the dog to stop him from biting in self defense. Splinting works best if the fracture is below the elbow or the knee. The big muscles groups of the shoulder and hip get in the way of bandages and cause them to slip down, which can cause a problem if the break is in the humerus (upper arm) or thigh (femur). Those fractures are best left unsupported and the dog kept caged until you can get help.
You also need some gauze and self-adhesive tape.
Covering the area in gauze helps prevent the splint rubbing the skin and causing sores.
Use enough pressure on the tape so that the fit is snug, but not tight.
Keep the dressing dry. Never use a splint in place of professional vet treatment for broken bones. Take your dog to get professional veterinary help as soon as possible.
The goal is to prevent bacteria from the atmosphere further contaminating the wound.
Be very gentle when you place the towel beneath the dog’s leg. Moving the leg will cause pain, so take care to cause as little pain as possible.
Hold a clean towel or gauze against the wound until it stops.
Open fractures are painful so don’t be surprised if a normally placid or sweet dog attempts to snap at you. Stay calm, and if necessary, muzzle him or have another person hold his head.
Puppies heal much more quickly than older dogs, so they may also get a cast.
One method used in surgery is to stabilize the bones using a metal pin which is passed up through core of the bone to realign the fractures. Alternatively, the vet may use special metal plates which are screwed either side of the fracture to hold everything in place. For exceptionally complex fractures where the bone is broken in several pieces, an internal-external fixator is used. This is where pins are placed at right angles to the bone and the pins supported on an external scaffolding system.
Complications, such as movement of the implant or infection, can considerably delay healing and may raise the need for revisional surgery. Make sure to limit your dog’s activities, give your dog any prescribed medications, and follow your vet’s post-op directions exactly to ensure a speedy recovery for your dog.
If your dog has broken his spine, he may be paralyzed. [11] X Research source Some breaks are easy to spot because you see the end of the bone sticking through the skin. Other types are more subtle, such as a slight bow in the leg or even just a limp. However, this does not mean he has definitely fractured a bone since a sprain, cut, migrated grass seed, or infection could also produce these signs.
If you believe your dog has broken his back, move him by putting a piece of wooden board or cardboard beneath him. Do not take your dog out for a walk or encourage any other physical activity since putting weight on a broken bone can further separate the bone ends and worsen the fracture.
Also look for swelling joints or joints at odd angles. If in doubt about whether your dog has a broken bone, confine the dog to his crate and call your vet for advice.
