My dog's left front leg was broken yesterday and the vet only put on splint. Is this adequate??

Question

The bones are completely broken, in two, not just fractured. Right below what would be her elbow. Not that my vet doesnt know what he's doin but i mean come on, just a splint and some tape?? I really feel sorry for her. I'm just lookin for peoples opinions.

Its the family dog, she's a small terrier mix. My parents took her to the vet. He only said leave the splint on for two weeks. No re-visits, no RX meds, no nothin. I think its ridiculous. And it really pisses me off

Answer 1

Are you supposed to take her back in the next few days for a follow up visit? Many times, swelling due to soft tissue damage from the trauma of breaking a bone makes immediate casting impractical or impossible so they will put a splint on the leg to help immobilize it until the swelling is reduced enough to put a cast on the leg (this goes for dogs and humans too).

For long term treatment however I would agree that a splint probably isn't enough immobilization for a broken ulna and radius. If you are not supposed to be going back to your vet for a more permanent cast or bandaging (right below the elbow is a difficult place to cast/immobilize in dogs, so the vet may opt to bandage the leg sort of like a sling rather than use a hard cast) then you may want to seek a second opinion. If you do seek a second opinion ask your vet for your dog's x-rays (or copies of the x-rays) to take with you to the second vet so that they don't have to take new x-rays (they may want to anyway if they don't trust that the first vet clinic positioned the dog properly...it may depend on what views were taken and how the bones are broken). There's absolutely nothing wrong with seeking a second opinion even if you really trust that your first vet knows what they're doing.

Answer 2

Just so you know - a fracture IS a break - they're the exact same thing. 'Break' is just the common word for a fracture.

There are many different types of fracture, they can be partial or complete, transverse, spiral, comminuted, complicated - you get the idea. Each different type requires different treatment approaches. Upper limb fractures or transverse are the most likely to be pinned. Fractures involving several pieces of bone are more likely to be put in casts. I'll assume the vet xrayed so he knew which type of fracture!

A splint can be perfectly acceptable for a fracture. The important thing is to keep the bone in the same place for healing.

The only thing that's concerning me here is that your vet said not to come back for two weeks - this seems like a bit of a long wait. You should always go back if you're concerned at all, and you are.

I would phone the vet first and ask why he thinks the leg will be fine without being seen for two weeks. Maybe he can offer an explanation that will satisfy you - if not, by all means seek a second opinion. You should have confidence in your vet, as you would hope to have in a doctor, so if you haven't it may be necessary to find a vet you are more comfortable with.

Chalice

Answer 3

I'm so sorry for you and your pup! Yes, he will most of the time must have a pin put in to make the bone steady. I can't rather remark with out seeing the x-ray, but possibilities are the ruin is able in the bone that the canine won't maintain still. Lamentably, splints will not afford a stable fusing between the bones. My recommendation is to see a veterinarian who can provide an explanation for precisely what's to your pup's future. Many newer, progressive clinics have diagnostics that older paractices should not have, chiefly in rural areas. As far as anesthesia is involved, sure, it can be frightening. Nonetheless, when you consider that he has been below before with out issues, he's going to likely be best once more. Is he neutered? If yes, I count on there have been no problems. If now not, have the healthcare professional take care of that whilst he is pinning the leg, that approach your combining the operations and decreasing anesthesia dangers. Just right success with your pup!

Answer 4

i'm so sorry for you and your puppy! specific, he will probable would desire to have a pin put in to make the bone good. i can't fairly remark with out seeing the x-ray, yet opportunities are high the ruin is able interior the bone that the canines won't save nonetheless. regrettably, splints won't cope with to pay for a superb fusing between the bones. My suggestion is to verify a veterinarian who can clarify precisely what's on your puppy's destiny. many greater present day, innovative clinics have diagnostics that older paractices don't have, quite in rural factors. so some distance as anesthesia is in contact, specific, it is frightening. whether, because of the fact he has been below in the previous with out issues, he will probable be high-quality back. Is he neutered? If specific, i assume there have been no issues. If no longer, have the scientific expert shield that on an identical time as he's pinning the leg, that way your combining the operations and reducing anesthesia hazards. good luck which contain your puppy!

Answer 5

Call up another clinic and ask to speak to the vet to get their opinion, sometimes it is good with your gut feeling if you think something is not right., If the vet wants to see the dog have them phone the original vet to request the x-rays you may have to pick and take them over and return them afterward, though the vet may just want to redo to check where the bones are at the current time.

Years ago my son broke the bones above his wrist, x-rays showed the both bones fractured and sitting at 30 degree angle, the emergency doctor simply casted it as is and said overtime it would straighten out on it own thru use. To me my gut instinct told me it was wrong so I seeked a 2nd opinion a week later he was in surgery having it done

As for pain meds, there are different thought on, one if in pain they won't use and will rest more, others feel it is wrong to allow the animal to stay in pain.

Even human practice years ago pain meds not prescribed I had 2 fractures as a kid, now they pull out the heavy duty stuff, last time I had synthetic opium in a drip maybe overkill but it sure beat getting thru the first night all to heck with no meds.

Answer 6

Your vet saw and palpated the injury, and I'd expect the vet to be correct. If it's a really clean break, and no jagged edges, possibly that could be the case and maybe the splint is enough to immobilize it and get good healing.

I've added some links to sites that offer online vet chat where you can get a better and more accurate answer than we non-vets can give you. I've only doctored my own pets but I usually don't have to worry about the treatment given, even in a critical situation.

Answer 7

We commonly use splints for clean breaks that do not require surgery to repair. A splint is easier to change the bandage with, dogs have hairy legs and will often develop secondary skin infections when a cast is applied that cannot be removed for weeks.

Your vet is neither incompetant nor incorrect, and the break is most likely clean and will heal. Do not skimp on the rechecks, and make sure the bandages stay clean and dry.

Answer 8

Dog's bones heal quicker than ours do.. It's likely the vet put your dog's leg in a splint so that he could easily check it, knowing that it wouldn't need even to be splinted all that long. Easier to keep an eye on things.

Answer 9

I am going to be honest with you. It sounds like your vet doesn't know what he is doing. In the majority of cases, if a bone is broken completely into two pieces, surgery would be required to straighten the bones back into place and most likely pins would need to be placed to keep it from moving. At the very, very ,very least, it would need to be casted. This has greatly disturbed me as I can only imagine how much pain your dog is experiencing. Please, for your dog's sake, take her to another vet and get another opinion. I hope at least that she was given pain medication by the vet. Can you imagine having a bone broken in two with no pain medication? That would be cruel and unsual punishment. I can tell that you really want to help your dog, or you wouldn't have posted this question, so please take my advice and help her immediately.

Answer 10

if you are worried take her to a different vet for a second opinion i would because you only have to watch any of the animal programs on tv to see that they usually keep the dog in the vets if they can't plaster i would be very concerned