Just like people –  all animals (dogs, cats, goats, rabbits, horses etc.) can break their bones. Depending on the species, how severe the break is and what the animal is used for (racing/work/hobby/companion), treatment varies. 

Dogs and cats used to be seen all the time for fractures as animals were often out roaming the streets and car accidents used to occur much more frequently. Although hit by car incidents still happen, quite often it is a traumatic incident at home that is the cause. 

Usually we will have an idea after examination of your pet as to whether we believe they have a fracture or not – if suspicious at all we will recommend radiographs to support and confirm out diagnosis and also determine the location, type and severity of the fracture.  More often than not, if your pets condition is stable we will recommend sedation or light anaesthesia to perform the radiographs as this for this procedure to be useful  it requires them to lie still and likely in painful/comfortable positions.

Once we have studied the radiographs we will discuss with you the options available to manage or repair your pets fracture (depending on the type, severity and location these options will vary and range from non-invasive (if possible) casting to invasive surgical repairs).

Fractures in general require a minimum of 4 weeks to heal but most averaging at 6 – 8 weeks. We will likely recommend radiographs 6 weeks post -injury to ensure the fracture is healing correctly.

During the healing time it is important your pet is on a good quality balanced diet to give their bones the best chance at healing as possible.

If you are concerned your pet has a fracture please contact us immediately on (02) 4261 4055 as this is a very painful injury.