Know the most commonly occurring traumas to the legs, the more rarely occurring head traumas, and those to the vertebral column. Avoid the potential danger of inappropriate head movements.
Definition:- The bones can be broken (fractured);- The articulation can:- be the location of a sprain, and this can correspond to a tear or to a stretched ligament that supports articulation;- be dislocated: luxation.- A trauma to the bones or to the articulation is manifested in:- severe pain;- swelling;- limping with or without resistance to pressure;- difficulties with, or the impossibility of movement.
Causes:- These injuries can result from a shock, a fall or an awkward movement.
The most frequent injuries that need urgent care are:- traumatic injury to the face (internal jaw fracture);- traumatic injury to the limbs: fractures, dislocation (haunches or knees), ruptures to tendons or ligaments.
In the case of lameness:- put a tie by way of muslin in place;
- assess the condition of the pads;- use fingers to check for any local pain and prevent undue discomfort by too rough an examination;- if there is pain, search for any wound, fracture or articulatory injury;- by gently confronting the bones of the joints against one another, check for a possible grinding between the segments: if there is an articulation problem, this could be due to a fracture, a sprain or a dislocation; if it is situated in the middle of a long bone, it is most probably a fracture.
Whatever the nature of the fracture, immobilize the articulation upstream and downstream before transportation.
An immediate visit to the veterinarian is necessary.
In the case of an open fracture:
The fractured bone is exposed through an open wound:- put a tie by way of muslin in place;- cut the skin surrounding the wound;- re-cover the wound with a band or clean cloth to keep it clean;- immobilize, like aforementioned.
In the case of an injury to the vertebral column:
This could occur in an accident on the public highway, or during a fall. The signs vary according to the severity of the trauma:
- the absence of superficial sensitivity: confirmed after several successive pinches to the skin of the dog's rear to his head. A cutaneous shudder will indicate the presence of any feeling. The absence of any reaction in a precise area indicates a lesion in the column;
- the complete absence of feeling: evident through the strong pinching of the pads or of the inter-digital webs of the feet. A complete flexing of the foot indicates the presence of such sensitivity (beware of possible brisk movements of the head toward the hands).
Total paralysis of one or more limbs:
What to do:- move the dog with great caution, if possible carrying him to a rigid, stabilized board;- survey the animal to ensure that it moves as little as possible;- observe the vital functions.
Log in
