Fracture Repair in Dogs and Cats


What is a Fracture? 

A fracture is a break or a crack in a bone.  It can range from a small hairline crack to a complete break of the bone.  Fractures often happen due to trauma; however serious trauma is not always required to break a bone.  Young puppies and kittens often sustain fractures from normal play and activities, like some fractures that happen in young children. 

Signs of a Fracture: 

  • Limping or not putting weight on a limb when walking 

  • Holding a limb up 

  • Swelling or bruising of the limb 

  • Visible deformity of the leg 

  • Pain, whining or abnormal behavior 

Some fractures can be diagnosed on physical exam; however, radiographs should be taken if there is any concern that a fracture has occurred.   

Treatment Options

Fracture treatment depends on the type of fracture, the location, the severity of the break and often the age of the pet. 

  • Medical (Non-Surgical) Management: Not every fracture requires surgery.  Some fractures can be managed with exercise restriction and a cast or splint as well as pain medications.  Your vet will discuss non-surgical options with you if appropriate. 

    • It is extremely important not to allow your pet to run, jump or play while the fracture is healing as this can result in movement of the fracture leading to a nonunion which is when a fracture does not heal. 

    • It is also particularly important to follow up with your vet for regular bandage/splint changes while the fracture is healing as improperly managed bandages can result in severe damage to the leg which could result in amputation of the limb. 

      NOTE: Healing with non-surgical methods may take longer and is not ideal for all fracture types. 

  •  Surgical Management: Many fractures in dogs and cats require surgery to provide enough stability for the bone to heal.  Common ways to fix a fracture include using pins and wires, plates and screws, rods or external fixators (metal frames that are outside of the body).   Surgery results in more stability and more predictable healing in many fractures.  VSx can assist your pet with surgical management.

Figure 1: Tibia fracture repaired with a plate and screws.

What is recovery like?

Strict rest is an absolute must for a fracture to heal.  No running, jumping or playing is permitted.  Your dog or cat should be confined to a small area in the house and taken outside for elimination purposely only until otherwise directed by your veterinarian. Many fractures take between 4 to 12 weeks to heal. 

Proper activity restriction often requires a crate, pen or small room with no furniture. If you have a high-energy pet, you should inquire with your veterinarian on strategies to avoid injuries during recovery.

A sling is strongly advised for dogs to help them get up and walk around as they recover. An e-collar should be kept on to prevent licking or chewing the incision site to prevent dehiscence and infection. Pain medications will be prescribed to assist with their recovery.

Immediately post-surgery, your pet may be drowsy, uncoordinated or nauseous. Unless otherwise instructed, we normally recommend the following for food and water:

  • Water Reintroduction: Offer a small amount of water 30 minutes to 1 hour after arriving. If there are no signs of nausea and water is kept down, more can be offered in small amounts. You may resume normal water access the following day,

  • Food Reintroduction: Offer 1/2 their normal feed 2 hours after arriving home. If there are no signs of nausea and food is kept down, you may resume normal feedings the following day.

Detailed postoperative instructions will be provided to you after the surgery that outline medications, and incision care. Bandages from an IV catheter site can be removed once you get home. Bandages or splints around the fracture site will need to be monitored and changed on a regular basis by your veterinary team. Please notify us or your veterinarian if you observe:

  • Increased redness/bruising over time

  • Odorous or pus-like discharge

  • Opening of the incision site

  • Increased swelling

  • Signs of acute pain.

  • Also notify us if you are having difficulty restricting activity or managing confinement.

Radiographs will be taken a few weeks after surgery to evaluate bone healing.  After the bone heals, your veterinarian will let you know when it is safe to resume normal activities. 

Potential Complications 

While most fractures will heal with proper management, not all do.  A malunion is when a fracture heals but in a position that is not normal.  A nonunion is when a fracture does not heal and will never heal.  A delayed union is when a fracture has not healed within the expected time frame, but given appropriate management will go on to heal.   

Other complications include: 

  • Infection 

  • Bleeding 

  • Nerve damage 

  • Implant failure 

If at any point after surgery your pet deteriorates (i.e. they were using the leg well then fail to do so), please contact your veterinarian.