Perthes disease in dogs. Hip dislocation in a dog: treatment and post-operative care

Dogs are quite active pets, especially in at a young age, When little puppy ready to knock you off your feet, happy to meet you (find out), and during a walk he claims to be a champion in speed and dexterity. However, there are situations that can limit such motor activity of dogs, and most of them are associated with fractures of the paws and spine.

About, how to find out that a dog has a fracture, what types of fractures there are, how to provide first aid to a dog with a fracture and how to help your pet recover faster– we will tell you about all this on the pages of our publication. Surely, this article will be useful for all dog breeders, since life is full of surprises, both pleasant and not so pleasant, and knowing what’s wrong with your four-legged friend and how to help him is very important.

Features of a fracture in dogs

So, let's remember what a fracture is.

A fracture is a pathological or traumatic disruption of the integrity of bone tissue. Fractures are open (when the bone is damaged soft fabrics and becomes visible), and closed (visually, only swelling at the fracture site and pain indicate that something is wrong with the limb).

Which fractures are more dangerous? In fact, it is wrong to assert that only open fractures pose a danger to the dog’s life, while closed ones can be ignored, citing the fact that “it will heal that way.” Indeed, as a result of deformation of the integrity of the bone, displacement may occur, and the bone will grow together in such an incorrect position that in the future it may cause the dog to begin to limp and find it difficult to move. Therefore, we would not classify fractures as dangerous and not very dangerous. Any violation of the integrity of bone tissue requires the intervention of a veterinarian, since only he can assess the extent and nature of the damage and help the dog. You and I can only provide first pre-veterinary aid, although the health of our pet will depend on the correctness and timeliness of its provision.

Causes of fractures in dogs

Of course, you want to know what can lead to a situation where a dog is injured and has a fracture. This is necessary in order to, if possible, protect the pet from such potential dangerous situations. But you won’t be able to completely protect your dog from everything. Therefore, according to veterinarians, It is as a result of a collision with a car that dogs most often suffer fractures. Moreover, these can be not only fractures of the limbs, but the pelvis, spine, ribs, base of the skull can also be broken... recent cases Unfortunately, there is no hope of saving the pet, because veterinary medicine classifies such injuries as untreatable, and even if the animal is still alive, it is recommended that the owners carry out this in order to euthanize it and not prolong the terrible torment. We will not now consider all aspects of the humanity of such an act - we will only say that sometimes help lies in ending the suffering of the animal you love.

Symptoms of a fracture in dogs

Symptoms of fractures are swelling at the fracture site, pronounced pain, disruption of the integrity of soft tissues, loss of sensation, limited motor activity... If you notice that your dog has suddenly stopped being active and is experiencing higher listed symptoms- Most likely, she has a fracture. The veterinarian will be able to tell more precisely after X-raying and examining the animal, but for now you need to provide first aid to your pet.

How to help a dog with a fracture

If you suspect your dog has a fracture - no matter what, limb, pelvis, spine, most importantly, do not lose your composure in this situation, as your nervousness will be passed on to your pet. Try to calm the dog and calm yourself, and also be sure to limit the pet's ability to move - this will reduce the likelihood of broken bones being displaced and reduce the risk that a broken bone can damage the skin or internal organs.

If your dog is bleeding - this often happens with an open fracture - the wound must be treated and a bandage applied to stop the bleeding.

Treatment of fracture in dogs

Treatment of fractures should only take place in a veterinary clinic and by appropriate specialists. Therefore, it is not worth trying to set a displaced bone for your pet on your own or apply a plaster cast. With your inept actions (unless you are a veterinarian, of course), you will only aggravate the animal’s condition, and this will lead to serious complications in the future.

If a dog has a non-displaced fracture of its limbs, it will be given splints or plaster in order to securely fix the fracture site. If the fracture is open, then surgery will be necessary to remove the remaining bone tissue and connect the fragments or broken parts of the bones using various special structures.

More severe types of fractures, such as fractures of the skull or spine, require complex treatment measures or, if the case is hopeless, the veterinarian may recommend that you euthanize the animal.

Rehabilitation of a dog after a fracture

If the fracture is not complex, and the dog was given first aid in a timely and correct manner, and also, you follow all the rules for successful rehabilitation and take all measures to restore its limb after the fracture - through short term your pet will be able to return to normal life, and even go for a walk with a fixing bandage at the site of the fracture. If the fracture is more complex, recovery will take longer. However, in both cases you must understand that veterinary care This is the beginning of the recovery process. That's how recovery process will proceed - it all depends on how you care for your dog, the diet you provide it with, and also on the rehabilitation measures you take. We suggest talking about the latter in order.

Peace

In order for the dog's broken bones to heal as quickly as possible, the dog must be at rest. And a fixing bandage or plaster does not completely provide her with this peace. You will need to take care to protect the dog from running, jumping, sudden movements, and also free movement. This can be achieved... with the help of a cage. You can purchase the latter according to the size of your pet at a pet store. The cage must be of such a size that the animal can stand in it full height and take a few steps, but no more. By keeping your pet in a cage, you will protect him from overstraining his injured limb.

Don't forget for the comfort of the patient, and also so that your dog doesn't think that being in a crate is... the new kind punishment, put warm and soft bedding in it, which will evenly distribute the pressure under the weight of the dog. If a sick pet cannot get up to go to the toilet, it makes sense to put a moisture-wicking bedding that will allow moisture and urine to drain through the bedding and not wet the animal’s skin.

Place your dog's crate in a room where you spend a lot of time; if your pet likes to watch TV (there are some!), turn it on for him.

If the cage is in a cold room, then at night it can be covered with bedding and blankets so that they retain heat inside it; it would also be appropriate to cover the pet with another bedding on top.

Walk

Despite the fact that the dog should be at rest, this does not mean that it should relieve itself on its own. If her spine is not injured, and the veterinarian has not prohibited her from moving, you can carry your pet in your arms outside to go to the toilet. If the dog is medium and large sizes, you can use a sling to support your pet’s body from below and, with your help, relieve some of the load from his injured limbs. By the way, you can make such a sling yourself from a large towel, which you pass under the dog’s belly or under the chest, depending on the location of the fracture. All you have to do is hold the ends of the towel tightly over your pet's back and support him.

Under no circumstances allow your pet to run or turn sharply during such walks.

An alternative to such walks can be a litter box in the house, but for this you will first need to teach the dog to go to the toilet in such a tray. How to do this - read about it.

Fractures in dogs occur due to various reasons, be it a bad game, a fall or a car injury - this is always extremely unpleasant condition, which requires an immediate decision to help the dog. U large dogs Fractures usually occur after car injuries, fights and other serious unpleasant events. This causes the presence of trauma without skeletal abnormalities initially. In small or dwarf breeds everything is different for dogs, such dogs can get broken bones literally “on empty space“Not to mention traumatic effects such as falling from your hands or from a sofa. In addition to the miniature size and fragility of the bones this problem may be due to change anatomical structure bones initially and injury is a concomitant factor for a fracture. An example of this would be a fracture of the lower third of the radius.

Pathological bone fractures also occur in dogs, for example when oncological diseases bones, when the integrity of the bone is compromised as a result of the destruction of bone tissue by a tumor.

Also, bone fractures can be caused by septic processes, for example, with a fracture lower jaw in small dogs with poor care oral cavity. Such dogs may develop periodontal disease and the surrounding area may become inflamed. bone diseased tooth, its density is impaired. As a result unsuccessful attempt a bite may cause a fracture.

In any case, no matter what causes a fracture in a dog, it is always painful and requires qualified help!

Clinical signs of a fracture in dogs

Clinically, a fracture in a dog, regardless of location, is always caused by pain, swelling, the development of a hematoma, and impaired support on the affected paw. In some cases, a fracture in dogs may be accompanied by soft tissue injury, as well as bleeding. This type of fracture is called an open fracture. Often, an open type of fracture occurs after car injuries or fights with other animals.

A fracture without breaking the integrity of the skin is called closed. This is the most common fracture in dogs. small size, because external influence environment will not be significant here.

The topography of fractures may vary and clinical signs may vary depending on the location of the fracture. We will analyze the clinical signs of each fracture according to their location.

Hip fracture in a dog

A fracture of the femur in dogs is accompanied by severe pain; the dog will not be able to lean on its paw. In almost all cases, there will be swelling or the development of a hematoma in the thigh muscles. With open hip fractures, severe bleeding may occur, which requires immediate assistance to the dog. The majority are especially noticeable clinical signs for fractures of the femoral diaphysis, that is, the middle. In case of fractures of the femoral head or neck, external swelling or hematoma may not be observed. With this type of hip fracture, dogs will experience only pain and loss of support on the affected leg.

Shoulder fracture in a dog

If the shoulder is fractured, the dog will experience a loss of support, such as a “dangling limb” on the injured paw, pain and swelling. At a fracture humerus with violation skin may be observed heavy bleeding, which immediately requires seeking help from a clinic. At closed fractures hematoma formation may occur in the shoulder.

Fracture of the leg in a dog

A fracture of the leg in a dog occurs with displacement and disruption of the integrity of the tibia and fibula due to strong mobility and lack of large quantity muscles covering bones. With such a fracture, support on the sore paw is impossible; often the paw can dangle and take an unnatural position. In addition to swelling and pain, such fractures often develop hematomas due to the close proximity of the vessels. Often, tibia fractures in dogs can be open and accompanied by bleeding.

Forearm fracture in a dog

Forearm fractures in dogs often involve fractures of both bones of the forearm (radius and ulna) and are often displaced. The dog will also not use the affected paw, and there will usually be swelling on the wrist or fingers. Often a broken paw looks shorter than a healthy one. In case of injury with a violation of the skin, bleeding and gaping of debris can also be observed.

Spinal fracture in a dog

A spinal fracture in a dog is characterized in addition to pain neurological disorders. If a spinal fracture occurs in the cervical region, the result is total loss ability to move. If the spine is fractured in the lower part of the thoracic or lumbar region means loss of the ability to move on the hind legs. Uncontrolled urination or bowel movements may often occur.

Jaw fracture in a dog

A jaw fracture in dogs, in addition to pain, is accompanied by curvature. The dog has difficulty or cannot close it at all, especially if both branches are broken. There may be some leakage of saliva. With open fractures, saliva and blood will be released.

Fractured ribs in a dog

If the ribs are fractured, the dog will experience rapid, shallow breathing. This type of breathing may be caused by pain or the presence of a secondary injury after a rib fracture, such as pneumothorax. If we're talking about about an open fracture of the ribs, this inevitably entails the development of pneumothorax. This condition threatens the dog's life.

Sacral fracture in a dog

With a fracture of the sacrum, in addition to pain, urinary and fecal incontinence may occur. Such dogs may not lose the ability to walk, but they walk with difficulty in the first time after the injury. With a fracture of the sacrum in dogs, there is often a loss of sensitivity in the tail; the dog cannot move it or lift it.

Pelvic fracture in a dog

With a pelvic fracture, clinical signs may vary, depending on the location of the fracture. In addition to pain, dogs with a pelvic fracture may experience gait disturbance due to pelvic instability or acetabulum fracture. With severe instability of the pelvic bones, dogs lose the ability to move.

First aid for fractures in dogs

First aid for a fracture in a dog will consist of ensuring immobility of the fracture site or the entire animal to reduce pain and transport to veterinary clinic. In case of open fractures, it is necessary to stop the bleeding: apply a tight bandage. Before this, the wound can be washed antiseptic solution.

For any fracture tubular bones, for example front or hind paw, you can try to apply a splint from scrap materials.

In case of a fracture of the spine, ribs, pelvis, or sacrum, the animal is moved to a flat, hard surface. There is no need to try to fix the fracture site or the dog.

If the lower jaw is fractured, you can try to tie it to upper jaw bandage or just put on a muzzle.

After an injury, the dog experiences pain and extreme stress, so if the animal is aggressive, do not try to fix the fracture or wash it open wound. A dog in shock may bite you! All you need to do is put a muzzle or a fixing bandage on the muzzle and quickly take the dog to a veterinary clinic for assistance.

Diagnosis of fractures in dogs in a veterinary clinic

X-ray diagnostics in a veterinary clinic involves conducting research in two planes. After an x-ray, the issue of choosing a technique for performing osteosynthesis, that is, a method of fixing a broken bone, is decided. Almost always, after an accident or other incident, dogs are admitted with secondary injuries, which sometimes require even more attention than the fracture itself. Upon admission to the veterinary clinic, the injured animal is given pain-relieving medications (analgesics), manipulations to stop bleeding and other procedures that help stabilize all body systems and reduce the risk of fatal outcome. When a dog shows aggression, use sedatives during procedures or research.

For special severe patients Those who require longer-term stabilization with manipulation (drips, etc.) we have an inpatient department in our clinic.

Before performing surgical procedures, lab tests(biochemical and clinical tests blood) and perform a cardiac echo and ECG.

If injury is suspected abdominal cavity or the presence of cavitary bleeding, an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is performed, and only after this problem has been resolved, the fracture is treated.

Treatment of fractures in dogs

Treatment for fractures in dogs depends on the type of fracture, its complexity, and the dog's weight.
If we are talking about open fractures, where the risk of infection is very high, then devices are used here external fixation. This can be a bilateral external fixation device in dogs weighing up to 20 kg or a rod device, Elizarov apparatus in dogs weighing more than 20 kg. These designs are common in dogs for fractures of the forearm or tibia, less common for fractures of the shoulder or femur.

Closed fractures in small dogs are treated with external fixation because there is little soft tissue damage.

Closed fractures of the humerus or femur are treated using support plates different types(DCP, LCP) or special pins, without taking into account the weight of the animal. For a distal humerus or femur fracture, a growth plate fracture, or an intra-articular intercondylar fracture, a technique involving placement of Kirschner wires and a lag screw may be used for alignment and stability. For stabilization in the event of a spinal fracture, in addition to support plates, more complex and reliable structures are used to ensure stability of the spine, namely transpedicular fixators. In case of a fracture of the jaw bones, special support plates are used; in case of infection, extrafocal osteosynthesis is performed.

Clinical cases of treatment of fractures in dogs at Pride

A dog of the American Staffordshire Terrier breed, 4 months old, named Combat, was admitted to GVOTS Pride. The puppy played unsuccessfully with other dogs and was injured. On examination, swelling was detected knee joint, soreness, the puppy could not lean on the sore paw.

After x-ray examination a diagnosis was made: tuberosity avulsion tibia with a significant shift.

After preoperative examination (biochemical analysis blood and cardiac echo) an operation was performed. The fracture was fixed using a Kirschner wire and cerclage. Supportability of the affected limb is restored fairly quickly; subsequent removal of the fastener is usually not required.

Veterinarian, orthopedic surgeon: Maslova E.S.
Anesthesiologist: Litvinovskaya K.V.

Representatives small breeds dogs are predisposed to injuries to the bones of the forearm due to the thinness of the bone tissue or other anatomical features. Any fractures are very painful for our pets, but they are treated quickly and often without consequences if your pet is in the hands of a competent specialist.

Using the example of some patients, we will tell you how forearm fractures are diagnosed and treated in miniature breeds dogs.

Thread (Prague rat) and Businka (toy terrier) joined Pride in different time, but with the same complaints: pain and swelling in the forearm.

Diagnostics: examination by an orthopedic surgeon, x-ray examination.

Treatment: osteosynthesis with placement of an LCP plate. Thanks to this technique, the dog can use the injured paw immediately after surgery, and the use of this type of plate ensures reliable fixation of the fracture and rapid healing.

Preparation for surgery: biochemical blood test and ultrasound of the heart. Very important studies before putting an animal under anesthesia. They show us the functioning of the pet's major organs and help reduce anesthetic risks.

After the operation, the animals wake up in the hospital under the supervision of a doctor and anesthesiologist.

Removal of stitches after 10-12 days. During this time, the owner independently treats the stitches with an antiseptic solution and wound-healing ointment.

Little Charlie fell down a step and was injured - an intercondylar intra-articular fracture of the humerus. This is a fairly serious injury for a five-month-old puppy, since pathological process All structures of the joint are involved, including the growth zones of the humerus. The main task of the surgeon was not only to compare the complex fracture, but also to ensure normal height bones in the future. Charlie was under constant monitoring by doctors in the inpatient department. Doctor Maslova E.S. osteosynthesis of an intercondylar intra-articular fracture of the humerus was successfully performed and the puppy is now undergoing postoperative rehabilitation.

Veterinary surgeon specialist in traumatology, orthopedics and neurology Maslova E.S.
Veterinary anesthesiologist K.V. Litvinovskaya

A pug dog unsuccessfully jumped for a ball and fell into a ditch! The owners immediately brought the dog to the clinic in the intensive care unit and intensive care. The dog had tetraparesis (inability to move on its paws) and severe pain in the neck. After all therapeutic measures on stabilization general condition and an appointment with a neurologist, the dog was treated computed tomography(CT) of the cervical spine and a fracture of the body 2 was diagnosed cervical vertebra(C2). To diagnose the severity of injury spinal cord in the fracture zone, we also performed Magnetic resonance imaging under the same anesthesia with CT.

After diagnosis was made surgery to stabilize a spinal fracture using fiducial wires and bone cement. Now the patient feels stable well, begins to move, and has no pain in the neck. In any case, such patients need time to recover, but we hope that not much of it will be required. We wish get well soon baby and patience to the owners!

Maslova Ekaterina Sergeevna - veterinarian, surgeon. Specialist in orthopedics, neurology and neurosurgery.

Tikhonova Maria Yurievna - veterinarian, anesthesiologist.

The pathology is accompanied by a pronounced pain reaction. The dog transfers its body weight to its healthy limbs; it can no longer step on the sprained paw. The paw may be turned inward or outward, depending on the nature of the damage. In 90% of cases, the head of the femur moves forward from the acetabulum.

Partial displacement of the head is called subluxation hip joint, typical for dogs with severe hip dysplasia. This damage is more often observed on 2 joints, whereas with traumatic dislocation one joint suffers.

Diagnostics

At the appointment, the doctor conducts a thorough examination of the patient and interviews the owner about what happened.

To establish the extent and nature of damage, an x-ray examination of the joints is performed. Most often, patient sedation is required.

In addition, the doctor evaluates the function of other vital signs. important organs. In case of injury, the chest, lungs, abdominal organs, and spine may be damaged. If necessary, a chest x-ray is taken to rule out rib fractures and the presence of free air in the chest. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity can exclude internal bleeding, liver and spleen injuries.

Treatment

Non-surgical reduction of dislocation: closed dislocation is reduced using short-term anesthesia. In order to prevent re-dislocation, a special bandage or sling is used. If the support has worked adequately for several weeks, the wound heals and the femoral head remains in place. In approximately 50% of cases it is possible to do without surgery.

Surgical treatment includes access to the joint and restoration of surrounding tissue. Additional support structures are used to provide better fixation of the femoral head in the socket.

In case of severe damage articular surfaces It is recommended to remove part of the femur (resection of the femoral head) and form a “false” joint. The technique allows you to avoid repeated dislocations, and is especially indicated for dogs with severe dysplasia of the hip joints. The functional ability of the paw is completely preserved after this operation.

It is very important for dogs to get regular exercise, since active movement is the key to their good health. If for some reason the dog cannot walk, his condition quickly worsens. Many factors can lead to this, but one of the most difficult veterinary practice condition is hip dislocation in dogs.

The hip joint is formed head of the femur and acetabulum of the pelvis. Despite its rather simple structure, it has decent mobility, allowing the animal’s paw to move in several planes.

In this case, dislocation is understood as a pathology in which the head of the femur emerges from the acetabulum. As a rule, the “everted” bone takes a cranio-dorsal direction (moves forward and upward).

What anatomical features prevent hip dislocation in dogs? There is a range of anatomical features designed to support close connection between the head of the femur and the acetabulum. The most important are the following:

• Strong bond, emerging from the head of the femur and attached to the bottom of the acetabulum.

• The head itself and the recess for it perfectly match in shape, which eliminates the possibility of spontaneous “breakage” of the joint.

• Bursa provides protection against mechanical damage and serves as an additional fastener.

• The muscles and ligaments of the limb act as compression bandage.

The main problem with hip dislocation is that it the ligament is torn, connecting the head of the femur and the acetabulum. That's why drug treatment this pathology simply does not exist - the only way out is a difficult and not at all cheap surgical intervention.

It is important! It is possible to straighten the injured paw only in the mildest cases, when the integrity of the ligament is not broken and there are no muscle tears.

Predisposing factors of pathology

What circumstances lead to hip dislocation in dogs? If any of the above structures are damaged, dislocation will not take long to occur. Most often, serious mechanical injuries. In more in rare cases immediate cause is . Fortunately, both hips are extremely rarely affected (no more than 5-6% of cases with very serious injuries). But there are other predisposing factors that can lead to hip dislocation.

Read also: Rapid breathing in a dog: causes and symptoms

The most common are improper feeding and impaired water-salt metabolism. The dog's diet should contain sufficient amounts protein, micro- and macroelements, as well as. In addition, with age, it is necessary to reduce the amount of protein the dog receives, since in older animals this causes problems with, promotes the deposition of salts in joints. If an animal lacks any of the above, its body cannot quickly grow new collagen fibers, causing the joints to weaken greatly and the likelihood of dislocation increases.

However, this is not the worst thing. It is much worse when the animal suffers from, and. In these diseases, the structure of both the bone itself and the joints is seriously damaged. They are greatly weakened, which is also common leads to dislocations, especially if the dog has suffered some kind of injury. Arthritis of infectious etiology, accompanied by severe inflammation(which is often purulent) and are fraught not only with dislocation, but also with septic phenomena: when the head of the femur comes out of the acetabulum, multiple microtraumas often occur, which are an excellent gateway for infection. The consequences are different, sometimes it ends in death.

Finally, one cannot fail to mention breed predisposition. If you are the owner large or giant breed dog, be careful - hip dislocation is most common in them. The reason is the huge mass of such dogs and joints, “designed” by nature for much less load. By the age of five or six years, the head of the femur and acetabulum may be worn to the limit.

Read also: Why are your dog's eyes watering?

Clinical picture and diagnosis

How can you tell if something is wrong with your dog? This is easy to do - if your pet is dislocated can't walk normally, even in a standing position he tries don't step on paws, since in otherwise it hurts him severe pain. IN severe cases the paw just dangles. The leg falls “inward”, so it’s hard not to notice this. The dog loses its appetite, becomes lethargic and apathetic.

Diagnosis is quite simple - correct diagnosis It’s easy to diagnose based on clinical signs and the results of a clinical examination. To know exactly the extent of the damage, your veterinarian will use x-ray. It is necessary to determine whether the round ligament is torn, whether there are deep mechanical damage directly to the head of the femur. Based on the data obtained during the x-ray examination, the veterinarian will draw up a plan for further surgery.

About treatment

As we have already said, in the simplest cases the “dropped out” hip can be realigned, but the chances of this are minimal. In addition, for a successful procedure one has to use general anesthesia. In addition, if the head of the femur has come out of the femoral socket at least once, the likelihood of recurrence is very high. The older the dog, the higher the chances. There are some factors that make relapse 100% possible:

• Dysplasia I hip joint.
• The dislocation occurred against the background of serious injuries.
• The dog has a serious excess excess weight .
• After realignment, the limb never regained its former mobility.

Usually, repeated dislocation develops no later than two weeks after the first case. Over time, the frequency of this phenomenon will inevitably increase, and surgery will be required. If at least one repeated dislocation occurs, or, moreover, the reduction of the hip is impossible for some reason, mandatory a decision is made on surgical intervention. Today more than 12 have been developed in various ways operations, but many of them are only the development of ideas proposed back in the 60s of the last century; since then, nothing more perfect has been invented. Here are a few methods that are used most often:

• Restoration of the round ligament (the same one that connects the head of the femur and the bottom of the acetabulum).
• Reparation (restoration) of the joint capsule.
• Transarticular fastening.
• Replacement of the joint capsule with a synthetic prosthesis.