What to Do When You Suspect Your Dog Has Broken Their Leg
Posted on: 15 October 2018
There are numerous medical concerns where you might decide to wait and see if it gets better. Stiff neck? Perhaps you slept on it at an odd angle. Bit of a cold? Rest, look after yourself, and your immune system will take care of it. But there are some medical issues that are immediately obvious as an emergency and require prompt and appropriate action, and it's not as though a broken leg is going to heal itself. When your dog injures their leg, it can be difficult to know the extent of the damage. It might be a sprain and could only require minimal intervention, but it could also be a serious break and be considered a vet emergency. It's difficult to tell the difference, but you're unlikely to know that difference until a professional diagnosis has been performed. So what do you need to look out for?
An Injured Leg
It's not a guarantee that you would be aware of the action that caused the injury. Your dog might have injured themselves unobserved in the backyard, gingerly hauling themselves back to the house or another resting place on their legs that are still working. That damaged leg is going to be the most obvious sign that something is wrong, with the dog being unlikely to put any weight on it.
Signs of Distress
But a redistribution of weight to exclude a damaged leg isn't conclusive. Look for signs of distress and discomfort, which are likely to be rather obvious since, of course, a broken leg can be extremely painful. It might feel intuitive to actually touch the leg in question to gauge how much discomfort it's causing, but this is something to be wary of. Even the calmest and cuddliest of pets can lash out when in pain. In short, if your dog is hobbling and seems to be in distress, they need to be examined by a vet as soon as possible.
Transporting Your Dog
Getting them to the vet can be logistically complicated. Small dogs can be picked up in their entirety, generally without assistance. You might even wish to get someone to help you to lift the dog's bedding (with the dog still in it), which can then be placed in your car. This allows the dog to be as immobile as needed. Larger dogs might need to be lifted in a suitably strong blanket or canvas tarpaulin (like a makeshift stretcher) before being placed in your vehicle. You will need to have several friends or family members help you with this manoeuvre since you need to carry the dog's weight while maintaining as much stability as possible.
Your vet will be able to administer the necessary treatment, and hopefully, your dog's leg will only be affected by a sprain. But whatever the cause of the discomfort might be, you need to seek prompt medical attention.
Share