Broken Bone (Closed)

When a bone itself is damaged in such a way that it is actually broken into two or more pieces, but the pieces do not break the skin, the patient is in possession of a Closed Broken Bone.

Breaks in the spine are not addressed by this complaint entry.
This condition has the potential to cause permanent lameness.

Mild breaks involve one break in the bone, with no separation between the two halves.

• Set the Bone
  • Medicate the patient, as this process can be painful.
  • Palpate the bone to check that it is properly aligned. If it is not, do what is necessary to align in by pushing and pulling with paws and mouth. (In mild cases little alignment should be necessary)
• Keep the patient immobilized for at least 1 moon.
• Begin evaluating the patient frequently, watching as healing progresses. Short walks might be taken (under supervision) if healing is progressing well during the final period of rest.
• The first half to full moon following the patients return to duty should be with caution, to ensure that the bone is not re-damaged, and to make a full evaluation of any permanent damage.

Weakness of the break site for a half to full moon.
High probability of temporary lameness.
Low probability of permanent lameness.

High potential for damaging the same bone again if enough healing time is not taken.
Low potential for permanent damage to mobility.

Moderate breaks involve either multiple breaks (with large enough pieces to restore the bone into shape) or displacement (a gap between the two halves) of the fracture.

• Set the Bone
  • Medicate the patient, as this process can be painful.
  • Palpate the bone to check that it is properly aligned. If it is not, do what is necessary to align in by pushing and pulling with paws and mouth. (In moderate cases alignment is likely to be necessary)
• Keep the patient immobilized for at least 2 moons.
• Begin evaluating the patient frequently, watching as healing progresses. Short walks might be taken (under supervision) if healing is progressing well during the final period of rest.
• The first moon following the patients return to duty should be with caution, to ensure that the bone is not re-damaged, and to make a full evaluation of any permanent damage.

Weakness of the break site for a full moon.
High probability of temporary lameness.
Moderate probability of permanent lameness.

High potential for damaging the same bone again if enough healing time is not taken.
Moderate potential for permanent damage to mobility.

Severe breaks involve a combination of multiple breaks and displacement, OR a bone so crushed their is little hope of it being put back into order.

• Set the Bone
  • Medicate the patient, as this process can be painful.
  • Palpate the bone to check that it is properly aligned. If it is not, do what is necessary to align in by pushing and pulling with paws and mouth. (In severe cases alignment is likely to be necessary, but has the potential to be difficult or near impossible)
• Keep the patient immobilized for at least 3 moons.
• Begin evaluating the patient frequently, watching as healing progresses. Short walks might be taken (under supervision) if healing is progressing well during the final period of rest. (This might be as long as 3 moons)
• The first two moons following the patients return to duty should be with caution, to ensure that the bone is not re-damaged, and to make a full evaluation of any permanent damage.

Weakness of the break site for at least 2 moons.
High probability of temporary lameness.
High probability of permanent lameness.

High potential for damaging the same bone again if enough healing time is not taken.
High potential for permanent damage to mobility.