Just like their owners, pets often have broken bones and fractures after undergoing a traumatic event, such as a car accident, animal fight, or slips and falls. Because animals have a hard time staying still and resting their limbs properly, fracture repair surgery is often the best option, so there won't' be any further orthopedic issues.
If you suspect your dog or cat suffers from a broken bone or fracture, then we encourage you to book an appointment with the Laveen Veterinary Center. Dr. Evan Ware is the leading veterinary orthopedic surgeon on our staff. He understands the theory and practice of fracture repair and will diagnose your pet’s injury and recommend the appropriate treatment option.
While pet fractures are incredibly heartbreaking and scary to see as a pet owner, your dog or cat can make a full recovery with the correct treatment. Our veterinary staff will help you review your pet’s options for broken bone or fracture repair. Contact us today to request an appointment with Dr. Evan Ware and his surgical team.
How to Tell If Your Pet Has a Fracture
Immediately after a serious trauma, you should examine your pet for any physical injuries, loss of blood and breathing changes. You do not want your pet trying to move around with a broken bone or fractured limb. The injury could worsen, requiring a more intensive surgery with a longer rehabilitation process.
Here are the top signs that your dog or cat has a fracture.
- Refusing to use or bear weight on the affected limb
- Inability to stand and walk on its own
- Swelling of the affected limb
- Severe pain
- Abnormal movement
- Other internal complication
Surgical Repair Options for Pet Fractures
Our dog and cat orthopedic surgeons will properly diagnose your pet and make sure it receives the correct fracture repair surgery. Based on the type of fracture and its severity, we may recommend the following surgical procedures.
Internal Fixation
With advancements in research and technology, orthopedic surgeons can now internally set and stabilize fractured bones. With internal fixation, an orthopedic veterinary surgeon will reposition the bone fragments to their normal position and hold them together with a rod, screw, plate, or other special implant. Unlike external fixation, there is no external frame holding the pins or screws together. The internal hardware will remain inside your pet even after the surgery is complete and the fracture has healed.
What Does the Recovery Process Look Like After Fracture Repair Surgery?
The recovery process for your pet after fracture repair surgery will depend on the type of fracture, type of operation, and the overall health of your pet. However, based on our experience as orthopedic surgeons, many pets can begin exercising fairly quickly after surgery and will recover within the first two to three months without extensive physical therapy.
As the pet owner, you will need to keep your dog or cat from licking or damaging the surgical incision, bandages, or fixtures. You will also need to keep your pet’s bandages sanitary and maintain a clean living environment. We can help you reapply and adjust your pet’s bandages during our follow-up appointments.
During these appointments, we will check on the progress of your dog or cat’s bone and may remove some or all of the metal implants used during the surgery. The majority of pins, screws and plates can remain safely in your pet for the rest of its life. Your veterinarian will decide whether any removal is necessary.
Why Should You Choose the Laveen Veterinary Center for Your Pet’s Fracture Surgery?
At the Laveen Veterinary Center, our state-of-the-art animal hospital and surgical center is your best option for pet orthopedic surgery. Dr. Evan Ware and his surgical team provide the highest standards of care and have experience performing most types of fracture repair surgeries.
Our veterinary support staff is a multi-disciplinary team that focuses on providing a range of veterinary services, including emergency/critical care, diagnostic imaging and proper pain management.
Contact us today for more information about what to expect from our Laveen AZ veterinarian clinic. We will answer your questions, provide you with a list of veterinary resources and help you book an initial appointment.
Dog or Cat Fracture Treatment Near Laveen, Arizona
If your pet has a fracture or broken bone, then it is natural for you to worry and have concerns about its quality of life. There are plenty of treatment options for broken bones and fractures, so you do not need to stress yourself out. At the Laveen Veterinary Center, we will diagnose and treat your dog or cat’s fractured bone and prevent a more serious fracture from occurring.
In addition to fracture repair surgery, Dr. Evan Ware performs several other veterinary orthopedic surgeries.
- Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
- Patellar Luxation Corrective Surgery
- Femoral Head and Neck Osteotomy (FHO)
- Extracapsular Lateral Suture Stabilization (ELSS)
Contact us today at (602) 559-9600 to learn more about our orthopedic pet services. You can also send him a message by completing the online contact form on our website.
With proper planning and the help of our experienced pet surgeon, your dog or cat can regain its full range of motion and enjoy a normal, long life. Calll today to protect your pet’s health and support your locally owned veterinary clinic.