There could be a problem with your dog’s or cat’s joints if they favor one leg over the other regularly or irregularly. A fractured or torn ligament in your dog could be a sign of sudden limping or difficulty getting up, slower than normal movement, discomfort, swelling, or the appearance of the leg itself. A lot of these problems, however, may be resolved by surgery.
In pets, broken bones are prevalent due to trauma like leaping off a cliff or being struck by a vehicle. Massive bone tumors that attack the bone’s interior are also common.
If orthopedic surgery is needed for treating a fractured tear in a muscle, ligament, or joint that has ruptured or another fractured bone, the problem is too complex to heal on its own. Broken bones and complex orthopedic issues in various situations will require lots of support to keep the bone in an ideal alignment and achieve successful long-term outcomes. Orthopedic surgery may help a dog or cat recover the use of a limb or other body part they wouldn’t be able to access otherwise.
Bone Fractures in Pets
All fractures aren’t similar. The cat or dog may suffer from different fractured bones or fractures, and the type of procedure needed to treat them varies. Bones are generally calcium-rich, making them strong and durable. However, they are also prone to breakage.
Hairline Fractures
The most common type of bone breakage is hairline fractures. Hairline fractures are formed when the bone remains whole, and small cracks appear across the center of long bones like the thigh bone. Dogs’ hairline cracks can be easily treated and rarely cause bone misalignment or displacement.
It’s similar to a small crack that runs through the middle of a piece of wood. The board’s structural integrity to withstand weight is damaged and will continue to deviate even if the board itself remains in good shape. Visit a veterinary clinic for any emergency services you need.
Multiple-Piece or Comminuted Fractures
Sometimes, more forceful blows cause a bone to break into multiple pieces. These fractures are more difficult to treat and require surgical intervention. Comminuted fractures are linked to extreme trauma, for example, being struck by a vehicle or shot with a firearm.
Fragmenting bone necessitates a tremendous amount of energy and power that affects the soft tissues surrounding it. A lot of comminuted fractures are described as open fractures. In these, a fragment of broken bone is inserted into the skin and can cause infection or contamination.
Joint Fractures
If joints injure a dog, the damage is significantly worse. The most common fractures can result in arthritis even after healing the bone because joints are essential for mobility.
The discomfort, lameness, and joint swelling are indications of common fractures. If the fracture affects the growing plate open, it could result in an angular limb defect. Joint fracture therapy aims to preserve joint congruity and the limb’s function through stabilizing anatomic reconstruction. Consult a veterinarian for any pet plans.
Compound Fractures
“Open” or “complex” fractures are those in which the bone is exposed to the dog’s skin. The bone’s sharp shards could puncture surrounding tissues and inflict injury on tendons, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels during severe fractures.
Furthermore, if a bone is removed from the dog’s body, it is more likely to be unclean and infected. This could lead to grave infections that may be life-threatening and require urgent medical treatment. Look up “Orthopedic veterinarian near me” for the best results.
