Fractures in Dogs: Welfare and Rehabilitation
Types and Causes of Fractures
Dog fractures range from simple closed fractures to complex comminuted or open (compound) fractures. Common causes include road traffic accidents, falls from height, and pathological fractures (due to bone tumours or metabolic disease). High-energy trauma fractures in RTA cases often involve multiple injuries including pneumothorax, internal haemorrhage, and soft tissue damage that must be assessed alongside fracture management. Stress fractures occur in athletic dogs.
Welfare Consequences
Fractures cause acute, severe pain. Dogs with fractures are typically non-weight-bearing, vocalising, and show physiological signs of pain (tachycardia, tachypnoea, dilated pupils). Delayed treatment prolongs suffering. Comminuted fractures, open fractures, and fractures with concurrent injuries pose greater welfare challenges. Peri-operative pain management must be adequate; inadequate analgesia is a significant welfare failure.
Initial Emergency Welfare Management
Emergency management priorities: adequate analgesia (opioids, NSAIDs) as the first welfare priority; stabilisation of life-threatening concurrent injuries (airway, breathing, circulation); wound management for open fractures (irrigation, sterile dressing); temporary limb stabilisation (Robert Jones bandage) to reduce movement and pain; and patient warmth (shock management). Radiography after initial stabilisation guides surgical planning.
Surgical and Orthopaedic Repair
Most significant fractures benefit from surgical repair: internal fixation (plates, screws, pins, interlocking nails) or external fixation allows early weight-bearing, reduces pain, and accelerates healing. Surgical repair timing (emergency vs. delayed) depends on fracture type and patient stability. Minimally invasive techniques reduce surgical trauma. Post-operative pain management (multimodal analgesia) is essential in the first 48-72 hours.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
Post-fracture rehabilitation improves functional outcome and welfare. Physiotherapy (range of motion exercises, massage, controlled walking), hydrotherapy (pool or water treadmill), and graduated return to activity promote muscle strength and joint function. Neurological complications (nerve damage) may require specialist rehabilitation. Regular radiographic monitoring assesses fracture healing. Owner education on exercise restriction, bandage monitoring, and recognising complications is essential.