Dog Broken Leg: Signs, Treatment, and Recovery

A dog with a broken leg will have trouble walking and may hold up the limb in pain. Broken legs are somewhat common injuries in dogs. If your dog has an accident that causes extreme pain and lameness in one limb, it may be a broken bone. Here's what to do if you think your dog has a broken leg.

Dog Broken Leg Signs and Symptoms

A dog with a broken leg will experience pain, but not all dogs show obvious signs of this. If you think your dog has a broken leg, watch for the following signs:

• Limping or lameness
• Holding up the affected limb or not bearing weight on a limb
• Swelling of a limb
• Vocalization due to pain
• Licking at the affected paw or leg
• Open wound or bruise (not always present)

You may suspect your dog has a broken leg if there is some kind of trauma followed by limping on one limb, unwillingness to bear weight, swelling of the limb, and pain. Many dogs will vocalize from the pain and show obvious limping. However, some dogs will try to hide their pain, making the injury appear less severe. This is a survival instinct for many dogs, so it's important not to ignore ongoing mild lameness in dogs.

Types of Broken Bones in Dogs

There are several different types of broken bones, also called fractures, that may occur in dogs. Some are more complicated than others.

Closed Fractures

The broken bone does not break through the skin so no extremal wound is present. Closed fractures are the most common type of broken bone seen in dogs.

Open Fractures

Open fractures involve an open wound. The fractured ends of the bone may have broken through the skin and caused an open injury. In extreme cases, a piece of bone may be protruding through the skin. In another case, the trauma that caused the wound might have been forceful enough to also cause a fracture. These fractures are more complicated because they are at risk for infection, which can affect bone healing.

Complete Fractures

When a fracture is complete it means that bone is completely broken into two or more pieces. These types of fractures are typically categorized into three types.

• Transverse: the bone is broken straight across, parallel to the bone length
• Oblique: the bone is broken in a diagonal direction; the broken ends of the bones are pointed
• Comminuted: the bone has been broken into three or more pieces; the shapes of the broken ends may vary

Incomplete Fractures

Incomplete fractures are partial bone breaks. The bone may show a fracture line on X-rays, but it doesn’t extend through the bone and remains in one piece. These are less complicated fractures because the bone is still in one piece and should heal more quickly and easily than complete fractures.

What to Do If You Think Your Dog Has a Broken Leg

While a broken bone is not usually a life-threatening situation, it's a serious injury that should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. This is especially true if your dog has had a trauma because there may be additional injuries that you can't see.

A broken limb should be treated as soon as possible so that the dog's pain can be managed and the fracture can be stabilized, preventing additional injury and giving the bone the best chance of healing.

Assess the Situation

If you notice a sudden injury in your dog, take a moment to assess the situation because you may need to administer first aid before heading to the vet. If you see a bleeding open wound, apply pressure with a clean cloth until you get to the vet. Try not to move or manipulate the fracture site.

Contact a Veterinary Professional

After assessing your dog, contact your vet's office for advice on how to proceed. They will likely tell you to head right over with your dog. If your regular vet is closed, you should go to the closest veterinary emergency clinic.

Transporting Your Dog

Try to keep the broken limb as stable as possible as you head over to your vet. If possible, carry your dog to avoid weight-bearing on the broken limb. Use pillows or bulky blankets to cradle the limb and keep it as stable as possible. Avoid manipulating the broken leg as this will cause pain and may damage nearby tissues.

If you cannot get to a vet right away, confine your dog to a crate or small area. Provide plenty of soft padding and try to keep your dog from moving too much. Any movement of the fracture will be very painful for the dog. If tolerated, you can apply an ice pack covered with a cloth or towel to the injury for 10-15 minutes to reduce swelling.

How Vets Diagnose Broken Legs in Dogs

When you arrive at the veterinary office, the staff will obtain some information about your dog's history and details about the injury. The veterinarian will do a physical examination and recommend X-rays of the injured limb. They'll likely give pain medications right after the exam to offer pain relief.

If a fracture is present, it will be seen on the X-rays. Your dog may need to be sedated for this to enable vet techs and assistants to get the best images possible without causing stress or pain to the dog.

Your vet will interpret the radiographs and possibly send them to a radiologist for a detailed review. Once a final diagnosis is made, the vet will discuss the type of fracture and available treatment options.

Treatment Options for Dogs With Broken Legs

The recommended treatment for your dog's broken bone will depend on the severity, type, and location of the fracture.

Medications

A dog with a broken leg will need medications to manage pain and inflammation. Your veterinarian may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as well as narcotic pain medications. If there's an open fracture, antibiotics may be necessary to treat an infection.

Immobilization

A broken bone must be immobilized so it can begin healing. If there is motion between the bone fragments, they cannot form a callus, which is required for bone healing. Immobilization also reduces pain and can prevent further damage from bone fragments moving against the tissues in the leg. The vet may wrap the broken leg in a large padded bandage to stabilize it until further testing or treatment can be done.

Casts and Splints

Some fractures can be immobilized with a splint or a cast. The fracture will need to be fixed in place for weeks to months while it heals. Your vet will need to change the splint or cast frequently to prevent pressure sores and replace any soiled bandages. Your vet will retake radiographs periodically to monitor the progress of the bone healing.

Surgery

Certain fractures need to be repaired surgically. A veterinary surgeon will place pins or plates with screws to stabilize the bone until it heals. A splint or cast may be needed after the surgery to provide additional stability. Some fractures require external fixation. This is a cage-like structure around the leg that stabilizes the bone from the outside and enables the surgeon to make adjustments as the bone heals.

Rest and Exercise Restriction

Regardless of the treatment method, the dog will need to rest and recover for weeks to months. During this time, the dog should not be permitted to run or jump, no matter how good they feel. Keep your dog on a short leash for brief potty breaks. Carry your dog or use a sling to support their weight if necessary.

Once the cast, splint, or stitches are removed, your dog may still need exercise restriction while the bone and surrounding tissues continue to heal. Your vet may recommend physical therapy to help your dog regain normal mobility.

Prognosis for Dogs with Broken Legs

With proper treatment, a dog's broken leg should heal within a few weeks to months. Some dogs may develop arthritis at the site of the fracture, especially if it's near a joint.

Be sure to follow your vet's recommendations for home care as well as follow-up visits. An improperly healed bone can cause lifelong problems for a dog and may require additional procedures and surgeries to resolve the problems.