WHEN A VETERINARIAN ISN’T AVAILABLE OR ACCESSIBLE
HOW YOU CAN SET A DOG’S FRACTURE
When in an area where it’s impossible to secure a veterinarian, it is sometimes essential for the owner not only to administer first aid but to assume the role of a veterinarian as well. In such instances, the principal necessity in simple fractures, where the skin is unbroken, is to approximate the ends of the bones so that they are, as nearly as possible, straight and in their normal position. The leg, having been bathed in warm water, is ready for a bandage, which can be applied as follows: Pieces of absorbent cotton, gauze, or cheesecloth are soaked in warm water and wrung out almost dry. Disregarding the point of the fracture at first, the bandaging process is begun at the foot, pieces of cotton being laid between the toes and the paw covered with cotton or gauze. A one-inch gauze bandage is then wound, beginning over the end of the toe, and then around the paw and upward, care being taken not to bandage too tightly. After the paw is bandaged in this manner, other pieces of gauze or cotton are applied to the parts just above the bandaged paw and wrapped in the same manner.
This process is continued upward, to and beyond the point of fracture, so that a soft packing is provided for the leg. Splints, preferably made from wooden throat applicators, are then wound with gauze or cotton and applied on each side of the leg, extending a few inches above and below the point of fracture. These are bandaged not too tightly to the leg and then the whole leg is again covered with bandage material. In order to make a smooth appearing dressing, one-inch adhesive tape is finally applied in strips of five or six inches in length, beginning at the toe and wrapped around the dressing until every part is covered. This provides an impervious covering to the bandage, which also protects the inured limb from the biting instincts of the dog, who is prone to tear everything off.
In the case of a compound fracture, the bones are first placed in their normal position, if possible, the wound washed and left open. A solution of zonite, one to ten, or boric acid solution, can then be used to dress the wound, the dressing is applied in the same manner as in the simple fracture, beginning at the toe and building up, except that a window is left in the bandage opposite the wound made by the compound fracture injury. When the splints are applied, they should not cover this wound. Adhesive tape can then be placed overall, reinforcing the window in the bandage.
The idea of leaving the window is so that the exposed wound can either be taken care of by the animal itself or dressed daily by the owner or person helping. If it were covered, pus infection involving the deep structures and the ends of the bone would develop and the dog would tear off the bandage. If he could not do so, gangrene would set in, which would mean the sacrifice of a leg or possibly the life of the dog. There is no better agent for the healing of an open wound in a dog than the oxygen in the air, aided by the constant licking of the wound by the dog himself. Daily bathing of the wound with an antiseptic solution and a possible painting of the edges with iodine is also a good treatment.
It should be remembered as a warning that there is a tendency to bandaging any fracture to make it too tight. This condition is manifested by the swelling of the toes and paw, caused by the stagnation of the blood. This often happens after twelve to twenty-four hours, and the bandage, no matter how carefully applied, should be removed at once and a new one more loosely wrapped applied.
When it is necessary to bandage the leg, including the elbow or the hock on the hind leg, it is best to leave the point of the elbow or hock exposed because bandaging at these points results in pressure, often causing gangrene. Even incidentals are important in bandaging a broken limb. No skimping, for example, should be made in the use of cotton and gauze as padding on the leg before the splints are applied. Also, the adhesive tape should never by wound from the spool, since the pulling of the tape from the spool causes an unnecessarily tight bandage which in turn brings about the stagnation of the blood. The best method is to cut off small sections and wind them loosely over the gauze.
