Fractures & Broken Bones

A traumatic fracture is usually obvious, but subtle fractures — in toes, the pelvis, or the spine — can be less apparent. Signs include:

• Sudden, severe lameness or complete non-weight-bearing on a limb
• Visible deformity — a limb that bends at an unusual angle or appears shortened
• Swelling, bruising, or a wound near the injury site
• Bone protruding through the skin (open fracture — a medical emergency requiring immediate care)
• Crying or vocalizing when the area is touched
• Reluctance to move, inability to rise, or dragging of the hindquarters (spinal fracture)
• In some pelvic fractures: straining to urinate or defecate, or an abnormal gait without limb deformity

Any non-weight-bearing limb after trauma should be treated as a potential fracture and evaluated urgently.

Most fractures in pets are traumatic, but several factors affect which pets are at risk and how severe the injury is:

• Vehicle trauma — the most common cause of severe fractures in dogs and cats; fractures from car accidents often involve multiple bones or concurrent soft-tissue injuries
• Falls from height — "high-rise syndrome" in cats can cause fractures of the limbs, jaw, and chest structures
• Dog-on-dog altercations — bite-force fractures, particularly of the limbs in smaller dogs caught by larger ones
• Small body size — toy and miniature breeds have relatively fragile bones that break more easily from minor trauma
• Puppy and kitten physeal (growth plate) fractures — the growth plates at the ends of bones in young animals are weaker than the shaft and fracture preferentially
• Bone tumors — primary bone cancer (osteosarcoma) weakens bone, causing pathologic fractures with minimal force
• Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism — rare today, but severe calcium or phosphorus imbalances soften bones, making them fracture-prone

Fracture diagnosis is primarily radiographic, but a full assessment of the trauma patient goes beyond the bone.

Physical examination and triage — We assess cardiovascular stability, breathing, and neurologic status before focusing on the fracture itself. Life-threatening injuries — pneumothorax (collapsed lung), hemorrhage, urinary bladder rupture — take priority over limb fractures.

Digital radiographs — Standard two-view X-rays of the affected region characterize the fracture type (simple, comminuted, articular, physeal), its location, and alignment. Adjacent joints are always imaged to identify concurrent dislocation or articular fractures.

CT scan — Complex articular fractures, vertebral fractures, and pelvic fractures benefit greatly from CT, which provides three-dimensional detail impossible to achieve on plain X-rays. In-house CT at Dog & Cat Hospital Calabasas speeds this step in surgical planning.

Surgical consultation — Our surgical team reviews imaging, discusses repair options, and provides a written treatment plan before proceeding.

Fracture repair method is chosen based on the bone involved, the fracture type, the patient's size and age, and the degree of soft-tissue damage.

External coaptation (casting and splinting) — Appropriate for certain simple, non-displaced fractures below the elbow or knee in young animals where excellent apposition can be maintained externally. Requires strict activity restriction and frequent bandage changes.

Bone plating and screws — The most versatile repair option; a metal plate is fixed directly to the bone fragments, providing rigid stabilization that allows early weight-bearing and the fastest return to function. Used for the majority of limb fractures in companion animals.

Intramedullary pins and interlocking nails — A rod passed through the marrow cavity of the bone; used alone or in combination with plates or cerclage wires for long-bone shaft fractures.

External skeletal fixation (ESF) — Pins through the bone connect to an external frame outside the skin. Useful for open/compound fractures where placement of a plate in a contaminated wound is not ideal, and for some mandibular fractures.

Conservative management — Selected pelvic fractures, rib fractures, and some incomplete fractures can be managed with strict cage rest and pain control when surgical risk is high or when the anatomy allows healing without hardware.

Open fractures, fractures with vascular compromise, and spinal injuries are emergencies — call us immediately. For stable, non-open fractures, safe transport (minimizing movement of the limb) and prompt evaluation within hours is the goal. Our team can triage, stabilize, image, and plan fracture repair in a single visit. Contact us to reach our team or get guidance on transporting an injured pet safely.