Pamper Pet Care Blog/Best Pet Vitamins

Do you know what to do if your pet suffers from a broken bone?  You definitely have to see your Vet but here is what you can do to treat the emergency.

Here are just a few suggestions:

WATCH FOR SHOCK. The first thing you must think about is supportive care and treating for shock. The more obvious signs include pale gums, weakness, dizziness, rapid shallow respirations and rapid heartbeat. In this instance your pet’s circulation system causes a loss of blood flow to the major organs, and the result can be fatal. This can happen in as little as 15 minutes. Wrap your pet in a blanket to keep her warm, give her a few drops of corn syrup or honey on her gums to keep her conscious, and rush to your vet.

SLOW THE FLOW. If your pet is bleeding, stop it. Apply a gauze or clean towel and hold on the area for at least 5 minutes.  If the blood soaks through, add another towel or gauze pad on top. See BLEEDING section for more details.

QUIET PLEASE. Keep your pet as quiet as possible. Cats and small dogs can be placed in a box or a basket.

ESPECIALLY don’t move exposed bones. If the bone is outside the skin, leave it alone please. Movement can cause additional bone damage, and possibly lacerate a vein or artery causing bleeding.

COVER IT. If the bone is not exposed apply a dry bandage. If the bone is above the skin and will dry out then apply a wet bandage. Be very careful about cleanliness. If your pet will not let you bandage, don’t force it.

SUPPORT IT. The least amount of movement your pet and the fracture have to go through, the better. Try to support the leg when moving the animal by resting the leg on a towel or in your hand. If possible, move your pet on a rigid surface, such as a piece of plywood.

BANDAGE OR SPLINT. If you are unable to see your veterinarian immediately, then you should give additional support to the limb by way of a splint or bandage.

BANDAGE OR SPLINT FOR A LOWER LIMB

There are two general rules: Use a lot of padding; bandage above and below the joints of the affected bone.

If the bone is exposed cover the bone with gauze swabs or bandage, torn sheet or a sanitary napkin soaked in sterile
saline or salty water. Some cling wrap can be used over the wet layer to keep the fluid in this layer.

Apply a good thick layer of cotton wool. A fluffy towel may work but won’t be as easy to apply. You can separate the
cotton wool into 2-3 layers.

Apply a layer of gauze bandage drawing it firmly over the cotton wool. Apply another layer of gauze this time drawing the gauze more firmly. The bandage should be taut enough to make a sound if tapped.

If cotton is not available, then try to get some bubble wrap. Wrap the limb, then secure the wrap with tape.

APPLYING A SLING ON THE FRONT LEG

If your pet is in severe pain or the leg is very unstable, then apply a sling.

Wrap conforming bandage such as gauze loosely around the paw moving from front to outside to back.

Bend the wrist, elbow and shoulder so that the leg is against the chest.

Bring the gauze up over the outside of the shoulder and down behind the opposite leg and back to the starting point.

Apply more layers bringing some of the layers over the front of the wrist to prevent it sliding out of the bandage.

PAIN CONTROL. Ensure that your pet has adequate pain control.  Your veterinarian can prescribe specific pain medications. A safe natural remedy that gives some pain relief is Arnica.  The dose is 1 30C tablet per 10-20 lbs of body weight every 4-6 hours.

Aspirin can be safely given to most dogs. (NOT SAFE FOR CATS).  The dose is 325mg per 40lbs given every 12 hours.

BANDAGE CARE. Keep bandages dry, and check for swelling. Cover the bandage with a plastic bag when going outside. Check the toes daily for swelling (the toes will spread when swollen). If this occurs, have the bandage changed.

REST AND TIME. It takes fractures a minimum of 8 weeks to heal, and some take 12-16 weeks. The key is proper rest, restraint and immobility of the fractured leg. Follow your veterinarian’s directions carefully. Although 3 months may seem like a long time, it’s short in the life of your pet.

This has been an excerpt from Veterinarian Secrets Revealed.  For more information on how you can get this ebook please click on the banner at the top of this page.