Fractures in Pets: Treating Broken Bones

A fracture, or broken bone, is one of the most painful injuries your pet can experience. Dog bone fractures are often caused by rough play or road accidents, while we often see feline cases due to the cat falling from height, such as from a high-rise apartment.

Such orthopaedic injuries should always be treated as medical emergencies as they are an urgent, serious condition. If left untreated, a broken bone can lead to severe pain, permanent damage, or life-threatening complications.

Bring your pet to an urgent care vet clinic or animal hospital near you as soon as possible if you notice symptoms of a possible fracture or similar bone-related injuries. They will require immediate veterinary care, beyond home remedies.

Get in touch with Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery — call our Upper Thomson branch at 8891 4417, or our Yishun vet clinic at 8809 0787 for immediate assistance and pet emergency care. You may also WhatsApp us to send any relevant photos and videos, or to provide more information on the injured animal.

Read on to recognise how fractures can happen in pets, what signs to look out for, first aid, and available diagnosis and treatment approaches such as X-rays and orthopaedic surgery.

Understanding Fractures in Dogs and Cats

A fracture is a break, crack, or splintering of the bone. In pets, fractures are most often caused by trauma. For example, when they are hit by a car on the road, falling from a height, or if they land badly during playtime at home. Sometimes, underlying conditions such as bone disease or malnutrition can also make bones more fragile and prone to breaking.

In Singapore, based on the veterinary cases we have seen, orthopaedic injuries in dogs commonly occur during traffic accidents, falls, as well as high-energy or vigorous play (e.g., when a dog jumps down from the sofa or bed while having ‘zoomies’). 

For cats, one of the leading causes of broken bones is high-rise syndrome, which is a term for injuries that occur when a cat falls from a significant height, for instance from a condominium balcony or the window of a HDB flat. 

Does Your Pet Have a Fracture? Signs to Watch For

If your furkid is injured with a fracture, he or she will often be in a lot of pain and showing signs that are hard to miss. However, sometimes, the signs can actually be subtle, especially in stoic pets who try to hide their discomfort from you. Be alert and look out for these symptoms so that you can act quickly.

Common signs of a cat or dog bone fracture include:

• Lameness or limping: Not bearing weight on the affected leg
• Swelling or bruising: Soft tissue around the injury becomes inflamed
• Abnormal limb position or deformity: The leg looks bent at an unusual angle or position
• Pain and vocalisation: Whimpering, growling, or crying out when touched are strong indicators of pain
• Reduced activity; reluctance to move or jump: Dogs may refuse walks, while cats may stop climbing or using litter trays if such movement causes pain

Moreover, for cats, particularly after a fall from height, there could be additional warning signs beyond limb fractures. Respiratory distress, laboured breathing, or breathing difficulty might indicate that there is chest trauma as well. Symptoms of the cat being in shock, such as pale gums or rapid breathing, may also present after severe trauma.

It is important not to confuse fractures with sprains or soft-tissue injuries. Even if you do not see a bone protruding or any clear deformity, it is still possible that there could be a hairline crack or joint-related fracture.

Bring your pet to the veterinary clinic right away for a thorough orthopaedic examination if you believe there might be a fracture.

What to Do For First Aid Before Getting to the Vet

Think your pet has a fracture, or spot an injured stray cat? What’s key now is to keep the animal safe and minimise further injury, before and while you transport them to the vet clinic or emergency animal hospital.

Call your veterinarian for specific advice and guidance immediately, if you suspect an animal has a broken bone. Below are some general tips on what you can do as first aid.

Pet First-Aid Steps for Suspected Fractures and Skeletal Injuries:

• Keep the animal calm and restrict movement. Speak gently and avoid unnecessary handling. Minimising movement will prevent further displacement of the broken bone.

• Transport carefully. Gently lay the animal on a flat, firm surface for support, and keep them confined in a small area to prevent additional injury. Blankets or towels may be used to secure them or wrap them up. Use a pet carrier for cats or small dogs. For larger dogs, use a sturdy board or something similar to act as a makeshift stretcher to keep the body stable.

• Do NOT try to set the bone yourself. Attempting to realign, manipulate, or push the bone back into place can cause severe pain, bleeding, or nerve damage. Unless you are confident and trained, it is safer to leave splinting to professionals, as improper splinting can do more harm than good and make it even more painful.

• Control active bleeding if present/visible. If there is an open wound with active bleeding, such as with a compound fracture, apply light pressure with a clean cloth or sterile gauze to limit blood loss. Avoid tight bandaging that could interrupt blood circulation.

• Muzzle if necessary. Fractures can be extremely painful, and even the gentlest pet may bite when they are scared, stressed, and in great pain. To prevent injury to yourself and the veterinary staff, try to place a muzzle when possible for safety during handling.

• Skip food or water until after vet assessment. As a precaution, in the event that surgery or sedation is needed, having an empty stomach will be safer for the animal. Do not give them anything to eat or drink until you have spoken with your veterinarian.

For serious cases such as high-risk syndrome or being hit by a car, handle the animal with extra care and caution. There may be multiple fractures or internal injuries beyond what you can see.

Once stabilised for transport, head to the veterinary clinic or hospital immediately. Every minute counts. 

Note that while first aid is important, it is not a substitute for professional veterinary attention and care. Unlike minor cuts or scrapes, fractures and other skeletal injuries are not conditions that can be treated at home.

Types of Fractures in Pets

Veterinarians classify fractures based on the way the bone breaks, and this will help determine the most appropriate treatment and prognosis. 

Here’s a quick overview of the different types of fractures usually seen in pets, including dogs and cats:

1. Simple (closed) fracture: A clean break. The bone ends are still relatively aligned, and the skin is not penetrated. These could sometimes be managed with external support such as a cast or splint. 

2. Compound (open) fracture: The bone pierces through the skin or is visible externally. This type carries a high risk of contamination and infection (e.g., osteomyelitis), as bacteria can easily enter the open wound. Compound fractures almost always requires surgical intervention.

3. Comminuted fracture: The bone is shattered into three or more fragments. Such complex injuries are common after high-impact trauma, such as a dog bone fracture from a car accident, or a cat falling from height (i.e., high rise syndrome). Internal fixation with plates, screws, or pins is typically needed to stabilise the bone.

4. Greenstick fracture: A partial break. The bone bends and cracks, but does not separate completely. This is seen more often in young, growing animals like puppies whose bones are softer and more flexible.

Fractures can also be classified by the location (for example, femoral fracture, pelvic fracture, or mandibular fracture). If the bone break extends into a joint surface, it is known as an intra-articular fracture, which can disrupt the cartilage and joint function and increase the risk of long-term arthritis if not treated appropriately.

What might just look like a ‘minor limp’ can in fact be a hairline crack in the bone. Severe cases such as compound or comminuted fractures require immediate surgical repair.

Commonly Affected Bones in Animals

Certain locations appear to be more frequently affected in animal bone fracture cases:

• Long bones: femur (thigh), tibia (shin), humerus (upper forelimb), and radius/ulna (forearm) are commonly fractured in both dogs and cats.
• Pelvis: Often injured in traffic accidents or high-impact falls.
• Mandible (jaw): Particularly in cats after falling from height.
• Spine: Less common, but severe trauma can result in vertebral fractures, which require urgent veterinary care.

Vet Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Fractures

Once at the clinic, the veterinarian’s first steps will be to stabilise the patient and assess the type of fracture and extent of the injury. 

A physical examination and X-rays are usually performed. Treatment will then depend on the severity. Pain relief and careful handling are a must throughout the process, and a Fear-Free approach is beneficial in such cases when the animal tends to be especially frightened and anxious.

At every step, the veterinary team should communicate with you about your pet’s condition and discuss available diagnostic, treatment, and hospitalisation options. At Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery, any X-rays, medications, and surgery will be carried out only with your informed consent.

Physical examination and imaging

The veterinary team will conduct a hands-on exam to check for swelling, deformities, pain response, and associated injuries if any.

X-rays are essential diagnostic tools in confirming a fracture and revealing whether it is simple, compound, comminuted, or involves a joint (intra-articular).

More advanced imaging such as CT scans at specialist facilities may be recommended for more complex cases. 

Stabilisation and pain relief

Effective pain management is a priority for feline and canine orthopaedic injuries. Medications are commonly used to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain from broken bones. Such drugs may be administered before, during, and after surgical procedures. For severe pain, opioids may be used — careful monitoring by veterinary professionals is required. 

Local anaesthetics could be applied locally to numb the area around the fracture site. 

In some cases, temporary splints or bandages are applied to stabilise the limb until definitive treatment is applied.

Definitive fracture repair

Treatment depends on the type, location, and severity of the fracture. It can range from casting or splinting, to surgery and external fixation.

2. Surgical intervention (internal fixation): Complex fractures usually require surgery. The veterinary surgeon may use metal plates and screws to hold the bone fragments together securely. Another option is intramedullary rods, also known as IM pins, which are metal rods placed inside the hollow centre of the bone (the medullary cavity) to stabilise it from within.

3. External fixation: In some cases, such as when the fracture is open, badly fragmented, or if there is infection risk, external fixation might be preferred. This involves placing pins or wires into the bone that extend outside the body, connected to an external frame. It keeps the bone fragments aligned and stable while still allowing wound care and monitoring.

Amputation

While the primary goal of orthopaedic care is to save and repair the limb, there are occasional situations where amputation may be necessary and the most humane and effective option. 

Vets might consider surgically removing the limb or part of the limb, if:

• The fracture is extremely severe or involves extensive bone loss
• There is significant infection or tissue damage that prevents healing
• Repair will not restore a comfortable, functional limb

Fret not, as dogs and cats generally adapt very well to life on three legs — they are endearingly dubbed ‘tripods’ — especially when they are otherwise healthy and active. They often regain mobility and comfort quickly. In such cases, amputation can provide long-term pain relief and allow pets to continue enjoying a good quality of life.

Post-operative care and rehabilitation 

After treatment, as part of recovery, your pet will need restricted activity, strict rest, and follow-up imaging to monitor healing.

At Paws N’ Claws Vet, pet owners can also opt for overnight monitoring by trained nurses to be arranged, if needed.

For questions or bookings, please WhatsApp our friendly Paws N’ Claws Vet team at 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson) or 8809 0787 (Yishun).

Sometimes, physiotherapy or hydrotherapy could also be suggested for certain orthopaedic injuries, especially to restore mobility and strength and prevent muscle wastage.

Recovery and Prognosis

A dog or cat’s recovery from a fracture depends on several factors, such as the type of break, the pet’s age and overall health, and how closely post-operative instructions are followed.

In general, bones in healthy pets take 4 to 12 weeks to heal sufficiently for increased activity. Younger animals tend to recover more quickly. 

Many patients go on to regain full function of the injured limb, especially with proper rest and follow-up care. More complex injuries may take a longer recovery timeline and also carry a higher risk of complications like arthritis or reduced mobility.

To prevent high-rise syndrome in cats and as part of responsible pet ownership, we strongly recommend that cat owners in Singapore — where falls from height are extremely common due to high-rise living — install window mesh screens or grilles. Meshing your windows and gates will keep your cat safe at home.

Expert Veterinary Orthopaedic Care, the Fear-Free Way

At Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery in Singapore, our veterinary team is well-versed in both canine and feline orthopaedic vet care. We frequently treat cat and dog bone fractures as well as other injuries and diseases affecting the joints, muscles, and ligaments, such as dislocations and hip dysplasia.

Both our clinic branches are fully equipped with in-house surgical theatres, advanced diagnostics, accurate imaging scans such as X-ray and ultrasound, hospitalisation facilities with optional overnight monitoring, and pet emergency care.

Have a question? WhatsApp us at 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson) or 8809 0787 (Yishun).

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