Two examples of this can be the animal being kicked by someone or being hit by a motor vehicle.
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According to the Boksburg SPCA manager, Maggie Mudd, fractures can also occur if an animal has a bone tumour or if extreme stress is caused to the body of the animal by over-exercising. Horse-riding events over long distances, for example, can sometimes cause horses’ legs to fracture.
Bone fractures fall into three different categories:
1. Compound fracture, which is when the skin is broken and the bone is visible.
2. Greenstick fracture, which is when the bone is fractured on one side of the shaft.
3. Transverse fracture, which is when the bone is broken at right angles to the shaft of the bone.
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What to do if an animal has an obvious fracture
Until an owner can get an animal to a veterinarian and in order to reduce pain and prevent further trauma, an owner (or person trying to assist the injured animal) can consider applying a splint to the fractured limb using sufficient padding material to provide comfort and stability.
Check for any swelling, which can be quite quick in some cases due to the trauma to the area. Do not tie the splint too tightly as this can cause more swelling.
Animals that have been hit by a motor vehicle can panic. Cats, dogs and horses have been witnessed running on fractured legs without showing signs of pain.
“This is caused by the high levels of adrenaline they are experiencing, but more serious damage can be caused to the already injured limbs and therefore it is important to try and calm these animals down as quickly and calmly as possible,” said Maggie.
It is of utmost importance to seek veterinary advice and assistance when an animal has suffered any type of fracture.
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