Monday, March 31, 2014

What Should You Do When Your Pet Breaks a Bone?

Are you ready if your pet breaks a bone? It’s important to be prepared in order to put yourself in the best position to get them timely help. But what’s the best way to handle a broken bone? We’re here to help!
If you believe your pet has broken a bone, come to our Maryland critical care facility immediately.
VCA-VRA has two board-certified in emergency/critical care, so you know you’re in great hands no matter how serious the break is!

Identifying a Broken Bone in Your Pet

Breaks are classified into two categories: open and closed. While open breaks, where a bone pokes through the skin, are extremely easy to notice, closed breaks are a little trickier to identify. Here’s what you should look for:
  • Signs of pain or discomfort
  • Limping
  • Whining
While these signs don’t always point to a broken bone—your pet will react similarly to a torn muscle or dislocated leg—you should get your pet attention immediately if they exhibit any of these symptoms!

First Steps When Handling a Pet’s Broken Bone

While you may feel the urge to immediately assist your pet yourself, it’s important to leave them in the hands of a professional. In the event of a broken bone, never:
  • Attempt to reset a fracture
  • Use antiseptics or ointments on open fractures
It’s best to get your pet to a vet immediately, where the best care can be provided. Attempting to alleviate symptoms or help your pet yourself may feel right in the moment, but you could end up causing more harm than good.

Visit VCA-VRA in the Event of an Emergency

If your pet has broken a bone, come see us immediately! Our facility is state-of-the-art, and we’ve been providing care to the region for many years. If you have any questions or need to talk through the best way to get your pet safely to our facility, contact us immediately!

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