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In this lesson, we'll be going over fractures and spinal injuries, including some signs to watch out for if you suspect these types of injuries in your pet. We'll also tell you about the number one warning you should heed if your pet does have one of these injuries.
Dogs and cats may become injured after a trauma. Common traumas include:
- Getting hit by a vehicle
- Falling from a substantial height
- Being attacked by another animal
Generally, with pet trauma, the injuries can be potentially severe and should be taken seriously. You should get your pet to the veterinarian as quickly as you can, but you should do so as safely as you can.
Pet Fractures
Some common areas where your pet may suffer a fracture include the long bones – the upper and lower legs at the front and back of your animal.
If your pet does suffer a fracture, you may notice a few signs, including:
- Your pet is not putting any weight on a limb
- Your pet has a severe limp
- Your pet has a dangling limb
- Your pet's limb is pointed at a strange angle
Pro Tip: Be aware that there is often a lot of swelling with fracture injuries. If there is, some of the signs above may not appear obvious.
If you suspect your pet has suffered a fracture, you should transport her to the veterinarian immediately. However, you also need to make certain that you're transporting her safely. You want to minimize all movement from the injured area, which will help not make the injury worse.
Pet Spinal Injuries
With spinal injuries, your pet can develop signs of pain when moving, particularly when it comes to the head, neck, and trunk. Or she might have trouble moving her hind limbs. She may also have trouble moving any limbs.
If you suspect a spinal injury, you'll want to check your pet's vital signs. With spinal injuries, in particular, you want to pay special attention to her breathing or respiratory rate, as these can become abnormal with certain spinal injuries.
Warning: This bears repeating! Transporting your pet quickly to the vet's office is crucial. But equally important is transporting her safely. Take extra care, especially when loading her into your vehicle, not to make her injuries worse by moving the injured area.
