Pet first aid: broken bones
31 May 2020
Allan Grisdale

Broken bones are extremely painful and require immediate veterinary attention. If your pet has broken a bone, be very careful when moving them. They are likely to be in a lot of pain and may bite you if they are scared and hurting, use a muzzle to protect yourself. Call your vet for advice immediately if you suspect your pet has a broken bone.
What to do if your pet has a broken bone
Step one: Check your pet
- Check your pet for any other injuries.
- Have they been hit by a car? If so, they could have internal injuries.
- Do they have pale gums? Pale gums can mean they have lost blood, or that they are in shock
- Do they have any wounds? If so, cover them with a clean bandage or cloth. Wounds around a broken bone can allow very serious infections to develop.
- Are they bleeding? Control bleeding by applying light pressure.
Step two: Move them to a safe place
- Avoid touching or moving any painful areas.
- Don’t allow them to walk if they have broken a leg.
- Carry them using a flat surface such as a board if you suspect they have a spinal injury.
Step three: Call your vet
- If your pet is unable to stand or walk, call your vet for an emergency appointment.
- If your pet is able to walk, call your vet for further advice
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