An old cat broke his jaw, what should I do? External skeletal fixation. Causes of jaw fractures in cats

A jaw fracture is one of the most common bone fractures suffered by cats. In most cases, a broken jaw occurs as a result of serious trauma when the animal is involved in an accident, gunshot wound, being hit or falling from a height when the jaw hits the ground. In addition, the bone can weaken infectious lesion, bone cancer, hyperparathyroidism or gum disease. All this leads to a broken jaw.

A cat's jaws consist of two parts: upper jaw And lower jaw. The lower jaw consists of two bones connected lengthwise midline. Both the upper and lower jaw can be torn, and a fracture can occur anywhere along the jawbone. Often the lower jaw is fractured along the midline. Fractures can be classified as "closed" or "open". In an open fracture, the bone protrudes through the skin and tissue. At closed fracture the skin at the site of injury is not damaged. When a jaw injury occurs, an open fracture usually occurs because there is too little tissue surrounding the jaw bones in this part of the body.

Jaw fracture in a cat - symptoms

Loss of appetite
cannot open or close his mouth
Bruising, swelling and tenderness of the affected area
Deformation of the muzzle (appearance of an abnormal bite)
Bleeding from the mouth
Broken or lost teeth

If the jaw is broken not due to injury (but, for example, due to infection of the jaw bones or cancer), other symptoms may be present, such as bad smell from the mouth and drooling.

How to diagnose a jaw fracture

The veterinarian performs a physical examination of the cat, carefully checking the mouth and jaw. Often a jaw fracture can be diagnosed based on external examination, but a skull x-ray may also be taken if the fracture is closed, or to assess the extent of the break.

To identify the presence of other injuries or evaluate general state cats can be held by others diagnostic tests. These may include full analysis blood, biochemical profile, urine test, ultrasound, x-ray chest And abdominal cavity.

Treatment of jaw fracture in cats

Surgery is required to treat a jaw fracture. If there is a fracture of the midline of the jaw, the doctor will need to fold both parts and fasten them with implants (plates, screws, wires, etc.).

Treatment of other injuries. Damaged soft fabrics surrounding the jaw bone should be thoroughly cleaned. Stitches may be required.

Treatment of an underlying condition such as hyperparathyroidism or gum disease may be necessary. Cancer oral cavity It is invasive and can quickly spread to surrounding tissues. If the cancer is located in the anterior part of the lower jaw, surgical removal bones. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy may also be recommended.

Aftercare

The cat will be prescribed painkillers and local wound treatment. Recovery will take several weeks and your cat will need to be restrained during this period.

Treatment of fractures in cats is one of the main surgical areas at the Northern Lights veterinary center.

A fracture is a complete or partial disruption of the integrity of a bone, which occurs due to an external mechanical force that exceeds its strength. Fractures in cats can be classified into two groups: traumatic and pathological. Traumatic fractures occur due to mechanical impact, in cats most often as a result of a fall from a height or auto injuries, as well as bites by dogs. Occasionally, we also receive cats with gunshot fractures.

Pathological fractures in cats occur even with a small impact, as they say, “out of the blue.” They occur when the bone becomes more fragile as a result of some pathological process– This is usually how bone tumors or metabolic disorders associated with bone tissue are affected. poor nutrition. In cats, such problems are usually associated with so-called secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism. Underneath this scary name lies trivial reason– with excessive meat nutrition There is too much phosphorus and very little calcium in the diet. As a result, calcium for the functioning of the body - maintaining muscle and heart function - is washed out of the bones under the influence of the hormone parathyroid gland. Bones become very fragile and break “out of nowhere.”

Doctors divide fractures in cats into closed (the integrity of the skin or mucous membrane is preserved) and open (the skin or mucous membrane, for example, in the oral cavity, is broken by a bone fragment); into simple (the bone breaks into only two parts) and complex (comminuted fractures); into transverse, oblique and helical – according to the shape of the fracture; intra-articular fractures (those that occurred in the intra-articular cavity) are also distinguished.

What symptoms may indicate that a cat has a fracture?

If a cat has a broken paw (front or back) - and veterinarians have to treat such fractures most often, you will see the following signs of a fracture:

the animal does not lean on the affected limb at all
the cat is taking care of its sore paw, an attempt to touch it results in a flash of pain, your pet may try to bite you
appears severe swelling soft tissues at the fracture site - the diseased paw is twice as thick as the healthy one, a large hematoma may appear
the configuration of the diseased paw is changed, it seems asymmetrical in relation to the healthy one
a bone fragment can be seen through the skin

With specific fractures in cats, you can notice other external signs - for example, if the cat has a broken jaw, it cannot eat, trying to open its mouth causes pain, the muzzle may lose symmetry. If a cat has a fracture of the spine or pelvis, she cannot rest on her hind legs, they drag, and control over bowel movements and urine output is often lost.

What can you do yourself to help your cat?

The main task of first aid for a fracture in a cat is to understand whether there is bleeding and stop it. Usually, heavy bleeding accompany open fractures, fractures caused by bites and gunshot fractures. To stop bleeding, it is better to use pressure bandage, which is effective in 90% of cases. To stop bleeding, we recommend a pack of sterile gauze napkins. If they are not nearby, then you can use a handkerchief, mitten, piece of cloth, female pad. Sterility is not so important now, the main thing is to stop the bleeding, which is life-threatening for the cat. A swab made of napkins or other fabric should be placed directly over the source of bleeding and bandaged tightly enough - with gauze or elastic bandage, a piece of fabric. Now - hurry up to the veterinary clinic. Our doctors recommend not wasting time calling a doctor to your home in such a situation, because full care for a fracture can only be provided to a cat in a clinic setting.

If there is no bleeding, but you see that the cat most likely has a broken front or back leg and it is “dangling around a lot,” you can immobilize it in the position it is in. Don’t try to “set” the fracture yourself! This is very painful. If handled improperly, the sharp edges of the bone can damage blood vessels and nerves, causing pain and additional injury to the cat. You just need to ensure that the cat's paw is still while transporting the animal to the clinic. If you are in doubt or afraid, it is better not to do anything and take your cat to veterinary clinic as fast as possible.

How will the doctor act?

First, the doctor will numb your animal. He then examines the cat and its broken leg. Special meaning This is true for those patients who were injured by a car or fell from a height, because in addition to the problems that are obvious to the owner - a fracture - the cat may have a chest or abdominal injury. These injuries to a cat may not be noticeable, but require much more urgent and complex treatment than a fracture. After inspection veterinarian X-ray your cat's broken paw to assess the fracture and plan treatment, and also conduct additional diagnostics other injuries, if any. Sometimes sedation is required for x-rays.

As a rule, 99% of fractures of the front and hind legs in cats require treatment with surgery - osteosynthesis. This operation is performed as planned, often 3-5 days after the fracture. This period is explained physiological characteristics body: during an injury, massive hemorrhage occurs in the area of the fracture, and then this blood and parts of the destroyed tissue that fall into it become so-called “osteogenic elements” - substances that stimulate the bone to heal. If surgery is performed immediately after a fracture, the entire contents of the hematoma will spill out, and healing will be slower and more difficult. Another difficulty for manipulating bone fragments is created by swelling of the soft tissues, which subsides precisely by 3-5 days after the fracture. The exception is open fractures - due to the open gate for infection, they require urgent (within 24 hours) surgery.

Before surgery, the doctor will fix the broken paw with a bandage.

Of course, fractures of the jaw, pelvis, and spine require a special approach in cats—we’ll talk about them a little later.

Why is osteosynthesis necessary when you can simply apply a cast?

Plaster casting is not used to treat fractures in cats for many reasons. To begin with, it is very difficult, even impossible, to force a cat to take care of a broken paw with a cast. And, even more so, provide the animal bed rest or hang your leg in traction. Cats try to get rid of the cast as quickly as possible, bite it, gnaw it, try to remove it on furniture, causing additional harm to themselves. The second reason is that since cats and dogs almost never break their legs by “slipping on ice” or “unsuccessfully jumping,” they almost never have fractures of the “crack” type or simple fractures without displacement. For this reason, fractures in cats often require complex reduction of fragments and comparison of fragments. Finally, a number of studies have shown that for the fastest and most complete healing of a fracture, several factors are required - the most complete comparison of fragments, their most rigid fixation, preservation of blood supply and early support on the limb. All these requirements cannot be met if fractures of paws in cats are treated with the application of plaster, therefore, throughout the world, osteosynthesis is preferred in both veterinary and human orthopedics, in which recovery occurs faster and with better quality.

What operations are there?

Osteosynthesis is performed using metal structures with which parts of the bone are fixed to each other. Metal parts can be placed inside the bone (pins, wires), pass through the bone (screws, screws, wire sutures) or attached to its surface (plates). In addition, there are methods for fixing fractures in which the wires pass through the bone fragments, and the main structure that ensures the strength of their connection is located outside the limb (Ilizarov apparatus and other external fixators).

Osteosynthesis is done under general anesthesia. The doctor selects a fixation structure depending on the type of fracture and accompanying soft tissue injuries. At the Northern Lights Veterinary Center, we specialize in complex fractures (comminuted, crushed, multifocal, gunshot). We have all necessary equipment and experience for their treatment, including with the help of external fixators and the Ilizarov apparatus. Many cats, who in other clinics were offered amputation of their paws due to complex fractures, retained their limbs thanks to the joint efforts of our doctors and their owners.

How is the postoperative period going?

As a rule, after osteosynthesis, the cat remains in the hospital for 6 hours to 24 hours under the supervision of doctors. Then, suture treatment and painkillers are usually prescribed for 3-5 days. We recommend restricting mobility for 4-6 weeks (cats can be placed in big cage). The cat usually begins to lean on its paw 3-5 days after surgery.

In 3-4 weeks you will need to visit the veterinary clinic with your cat again to do a control test. X-ray to assess the rate of fusion. On average, the rate of fusion, depending on the complexity of the fracture, varies from 2 to 8 months. After fusion, except rare cases(intra-articular fractures, fractures of the pelvic bones, very complex fractures in which the fixing elements firmly grow into the general mass callus), metal structures are removed.

What are the characteristics of different types of fractures?

Previously, we considered the actions of cat owners and veterinarians in the event of a “paw fracture” - that is, a fracture of the long tubular bones limbs. In a cat, these are the following types of fractures with their symptoms and treatment: hip fractures - that is, the femur, as well as the neck and head of the femur, tibia fractures - the tibia and fibula, shoulder fractures - humerus and fractures of the forearm - radial and ulna. These types of fractures are encountered most often in the practice of a veterinary traumatologist. Let us now move on to the nuances characteristic of other types of fractures.

Fractured toes in a cat

Owners usually refer to fractures of all the “small” bones of the hand and foot in cats as a “finger fracture.” Thus, these are fractures of the bones of the wrist and tarsus, and fractures of the metacarpus and metatarsus, and fractures of the small bones that make up the fingers. Cats often get these types of fractures after falling out of a window; they can happen if the cat's paw is stepped on. Sometimes such fractures are the result of a car injury.

External signs of these fractures are either a complete inability to step on the paw, or very severe lameness; toe fractures in cats are not often open and are rarely accompanied by severe swelling. However, there is usually a significant pain reaction.

Surgical treatment (osteosynthesis) is necessary in case of fractures of the carpal and tarsal bones, less often used for fractures of the metacarpal and metatarsal bones (more often if all bones are broken), and is extremely rarely used for fractures of the finger bones - as a rule, fixation with a bandage and restriction is sufficient motor activity for 1-1.5 months.

In any case, you need to consult a veterinarian and x-ray the limb.

Spinal fracture in cats

This type of fracture is one of the most difficult in veterinary practice. What are the symptoms of a spinal fracture in cats? A spinal fracture in a cat is the result of a serious injury - a car injury, a fall from a height, serious bites and bruises. Typically, these fractures occur in the thoracic or lumbar region spine, then the cat does not lean on its hind legs (paralysis of the hind legs), sometimes urine flows from it. If the cat injured its spine in sacral region, the ability to walk is preserved, but there are difficulties with urination/defecation. If a cat breaks its spine in the neck area, it can be completely paralyzed - both its front and hind legs. These injuries are extremely painful and your cat may bite or scratch you when you touch them. Cats with such injuries must be moved extremely carefully; a rigid stretcher is preferable. But if there is no hard one nearby, don’t waste time looking. Bring your cat to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible. In such cases, the clock counts, so don’t hesitate. We categorically do not recommend calling a doctor to your home in such cases - he will only be able to anesthetize the animal, in the case of a spinal fracture, this will only be a waste of time.

The fact is that when the spine is fractured, the cat has the most a big problem- This is damage to the spinal cord by fragments. This is the cause of paralysis. May be torn nerve fibers– and then, unfortunately, the situation is irreversible. Or fragments and fragments can simply squeeze spinal cord. In this situation, the sooner help is provided to the animal, the greater the chance of saving it and restoring normal support.

Treatment of a spinal fracture in a cat, cat or kitten is always surgery. During this process, the doctor will examine the spinal cord and determine whether it is intact and whether there is hope for restoration of all functions. Then he will remove small fragments and fix the damaged vertebrae in normal position– usually knitting needles and screws are used for this. After such an operation, the cat usually remains under observation in the hospital from a day to a week, depending on its condition. If the spinal cord is not severed, recovery usually occurs 3-4 weeks after surgery, and the first signs of improvement appear the very next day after surgery.

Fractured ribs in a cat

The ribs make up the main part of the chest frame, and if your cat has rib fractures, he or she may have serious problems with breathing. In addition, rib fractures can cause pneumothorax (a dangerous accumulation of air in the chest) or lead to lung injury with bleeding. Rib fractures in cats usually occur as a result of a car injury, a fall from a window, or fights with large dogs. The main symptoms of rib fractures in cats are: wounds in the chest area, chest asymmetry, shortness of breath, breathing with an open mouth. As a rule, everything major changes- pneumothorax, bleeding into the chest - are invisible at the first stages, therefore, with any injury to the chest - especially if bite marks are visible between the ribs - it is necessary to bring the cat to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

After examination, anesthesia and x-rays, the veterinarian will evaluate the injury to the ribs and structures of the chest, the presence of blood and air in it. As a rule, single rib fractures (if there are no other injuries) do not require surgery - a special bandage is applied to the chest and pain relief is performed. In the case of multiple rib fractures and/or injury to the lungs and pleura, the intervention of a trauma surgeon is necessary to stop the bleeding, install drainage and reconstruct the broken ribs. If help is provided in time, a cat can be saved even with severe chest injuries. After such an operation, the cat will have to spend some time in the clinic’s hospital and wear a special bandage for about a month.

Pelvic fracture in cats

A cat can get this unpleasant type of fracture, mainly from a fall from a height or a car injury. The pelvic bones form a structure through which the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, colon) are protected from external environment. Also, with the help of the pelvic bones, the cat’s hind legs are “attached” to the spine. Therefore, if a cat breaks her pelvis, her support on one or both hind legs is usually impaired. There may also be blood in the urine and stool. This type of fracture requires an additional integrity check from a veterinary traumatologist. internal organs so as not to miss breaks Bladder, ureter, uterus and intestines. Sometimes these injuries require separate surgery and are more urgent than treating the cat's pelvic fracture itself. If these problems are excluded, the usual treatment for a pelvic fracture in a cat is osteosynthesis using plates, wires and wire sutures. Rehabilitation after surgery usually lasts from 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the severity of the fracture and associated injuries. Approximately 50% of all pelvic fractures in cats are treated with this method. Those that are not associated with strong displacement and do not affect the area hip joint– can be treated without surgery. Such cats are placed in a cage for 1.5-2 months and given painkillers and hygiene.

Tail fracture in cats

This is one of the simplest fractures in veterinary practice. Typically, a cat's tail fracture occurs when the cat's tail is pinched or stepped on. Symptoms of a broken tail in a cat can include immobility (this is why sometimes cats’ tail “hangs” and does not move), curvature, and pain. In case of an open fracture of the tail, the cat may develop lacerations and if the owner does not ask himself in time how to treat this injury, they will fester. Except for extremely rare cases when a cat's tail fracture occurs very close to the body (at the base of the tail, when the fragments are sometimes displaced so that the main artery or nerve supplying the tail is torn), these fractures are very easy to treat. If the tail injury is serious and the nutrition of the tail below the fracture is disrupted, the tail, unfortunately, has to be amputated just above the fracture site. If a cat's tail is broken without significant displacement, simply external fixation for about 4 weeks is enough for a complete recovery.

Jaw fracture in cats

Jaw fractures in cats are very rare in veterinary practice, but if such a fracture does occur, it needs close attention. As a rule, these fractures are open; through the wound of the mucous membrane, numerous bacteria from the oral cavity can penetrate into the thickness of the jaw. Treatment for jaw fractures in cats requires immediate treatment. Typically, such fractures occur when falling from a window. An additional factor risk is elderly age And bad condition oral cavity (gingivitis, periodontitis). With these diseases, the jaw bone becomes weak and can easily break with minimal impact. Symptoms of a broken jaw in cats: sharp pain, inability to close or open the mouth, inability to eat, loss of muzzle symmetry, blood from the mouth. What to do if your cat has a broken jaw? Take him to the veterinary clinic immediately. To treat fractures of the lower jaw in cats, surgery is necessary - osteosynthesis with a plate, knitting needles or wire sutures, depending on the location of the fracture. Within a day after the operation, the cat will be able to eat soft food and will quickly recover.

You can contact our veterinary center regarding any type of fracture in your cat. To do this, you do not need to make an appointment with a surgeon or traumatologist. Bring your cat to any general practitioner every day from 10.00 to 22.00. He will conduct an examination, provide pain relief, evaluate associated problems, take x-rays, and record the fracture until the time of surgery.

If you have already been examined and want to undergo osteosynthesis in our clinic, you can sign up for the operation and ask all your questions by calling us at Veterinary center"Northern Lights" by phone.

One of the troubles that happens to domestic cats is a dislocated or subluxated jaw. In young animals similar pathology cause injury or careless movements. Despite the myth about the agility of cats, these pets quite often fall from low pieces of furniture, and at this time their body does not have time to turn along two axes - as when falling from a significant height, then the cats land only on their paws. In this case, they often suffer traumatic brain injuries.

Cats also hit their heads on hard objects, carried away during games, open their mouths too wide to swallow big piece solid food.

In older cats, the jaw ligaments weaken and the horseshoe-shaped lower jaw becomes displaced. The articular head of the temporal bone slips and moves behind the articular tubercle, resulting in a dislocation of the lower jaw.

How to straighten a cat’s jaws and is it possible to cope with this task on your own?

Symptoms and diagnosis

If the cat has had contact with street animals or is a mouse catcher, the first thing you should do is take the animal to the veterinarian.

Symptoms of injury:

the mouth is partially or completely open;
displacement of the lower jaw forward or to the side;
deviation of the chin from the axis;
displacement of the coronoid process, and as a result, exophthalmia - clouding of the cornea and bulging eyes caused by the accumulation of fluid behind the organ of vision;
salivation;
tongue prolapse.

In some cases, bleeding may occur, but this is extremely rare. Only a specialist can differentiate between dislocation and subluxation by clinical signs– from getting stuck foreign bodies between teeth or paralysis of the lower jaw.

The last symptom is inherent terrible disease, which is contagious to humans - rabies. During this disease, the mouth can easily be closed with your hands. Before setting a cat's jaw, it is imperative that a full examination of the oral cavity is carried out.

Animal treatment

For cats and dogs - this injury also happens often in dogs - dislocation of the lower jaw is adjusted according to one algorithm:

Be sure to inject painkillers and antipsychotics into the area where the submandibular nerves are located;
A stick up to 2 cm thick is inserted between the teeth and placed between the molars;
The ends of the jaw are grasped, bringing them as close as possible to each other, but at the same time the lower jaw is pulled back. They sharply release and remove the stick - a characteristic click should be heard when the bite is restored;
When moving towards the coronoid process, you need to press the jaw from the side with your hand to return it to the midline.

If the dislocation is not caused by a fracture of the articular process, then no further treatment not required. In cats, you can manually try to correct the articular displacement by pressing on the coronoid process, it should be moved down and back. To execute this operation, you need to have a certain skill.

Special condition

How can an aging animal correct a dislocated jaw on its own? It is physically impossible to constantly take a cat to a veterinary clinic - displacement of the joints relative to their position due to the development of dysplasia occurs several times a day, as soon as the cat yawns.

Usually the dislocation in this case is unilateral, the mouth closes approximately 60%. An examination in this condition and differentiation of rabies is not required - the diagnosis has already been made and clarified.

In this case, owners are advised to act this way.

If the subluxation is fresh and occurred directly in their presence, swelling has not had time to develop, and the muscles are relaxed, then the mouth from below is pulled behind the lower jaw and articular heads easily inserted into the articular sockets.

The second option is more painful for the cat, because it is carried out without anesthesia, but it is impossible to do without it if the muscles have already become tense. You already have to insert a tourniquet from a towel into your mouth and then carry out the above manipulations.

If you “feel sorry” for the animal, then it will not be able to live normally - it will eat with its mouth half-open
you have to swallow, and this has a detrimental effect on the condition digestive organs. It doesn't hurt the cat so much that it goes into shock. With a habitual dislocation, the ligaments are so relaxed that the jaw moves almost freely.

cure habitual dislocation in pets it is only possible through surgery, but since surgery is performed under anesthesia, owners of aging animals fear for their pets - the cardiovascular and urinary systems may be seriously damaged. Therefore, owners are trained to help cats on their own. For an animal up to 6-8 years of age, surgery can be performed without fear for the general condition - of course, taking into account the clinical picture.

Your own vet

Interestingly, in most cases, animals solve the problem on their own. When the ligaments are relaxed, they are able to help themselves with their paws and straighten the shifted jaw.

Of course, cats are not able to cope with complicated bilateral dislocations with a fracture of the articular process, but they can correct subluxations after 2-3 repetitions. This is why street animals do not walk with their mouths half open, although such injuries are typical for mammals of this species.

Prevention of dislocation and subluxation in pets

It is impossible to explain to a cat or dog the rules of behavior: do not yawn widely and do not swallow large pieces. However, owners can reduce the load on their pet’s lower jaw. Only small toys are left, food is cut into pieces - it can even be crushed for old animals.

An unsuccessful jump, “flying” out of a window, a speeding car and other force majeure circumstances can lead to serious injuries, including broken bones. And if it is impossible not to notice an open fracture of a cat’s paw, then a crack, for example, in a femoral bone, is easy to overlook. What are the signs of a fracture in cats and what to do if the owner suspects a fracture?

A fracture is a bone injury in which the integrity of the bone is destroyed. bone tissue. Whether a bone is broken in half or has only a small crack, it is still a fracture that cannot be left untreated. Since only a veterinarian can determine a fracture in a cat, at the slightest suspicion you need to go to the clinic. An injured bone left untreated may heal improperly, causing a chain negative consequences, up to the death of the pet. A spinal fracture in a cat can result in complete or partial paralysis, especially if the spinal discs have become displaced as a result of the injury. Untreated fracture hind paw in a cat leads to inadequate load on a healthy limb, which over the years provokes various diseases joints and bone tissue. Therefore, if you suspect a fracture, you need to urgently take your pet to the clinic!

Types of Fractures

Open fracture– the bone is broken, the ends are displaced, one or both ends of the broken bone come out and are visible to the naked eye. The tissues in the fracture area are torn, there's blood coming out. There is a high risk of shock from severe pain and blood loss, infection, at the site of injury. An open fracture of a cat's tail is an injury typical of free-roaming animals.

Closed fracture without displacement– the bone is broken, but is in its natural position. There may be swelling, bluishness or redness of the tissue at the fracture site. A closed pelvic fracture in a cat is a common injury resulting from a fall from a window.

Closed fracture with displacement– the bone is broken, the ends are separated, but the soft tissues are only partially damaged. Possible internal bleeding!

Sometimes one of the broken edges protrudes under the muscle, forming an unnatural bulge visible to the naked eye. The tissue in the area of injury is swollen. A closed jaw fracture in a cat is often complicated by displacement and crushing of thin jaw bones.

Crack– an injury in which the edges of the bone do not diverge, held by the intact area. By external signs difficult to determine, a crack is often confused with a bruise - it is possible slight swelling, pain, but more often the cat still leans on the injured part of the body, although it is careful.

Read also: Dermatitis in cats: types, symptoms and treatment

First aid

A few words about an irreplaceable item in the owner’s arsenal – a plastic cat carrier with a removable top. If you suspect a fracture of the cat's spine or any other fracture that requires limited mobility, such a carrier is a real salvation. The lid must be removed, the pet must be carefully placed on the bottom of the box, and then the lid must be returned to its place. Trying to push an injured cat into the narrow door of an ordinary box is a real torment for both the pet and the owner.

Remember what the cat is experiencing severe pain, so you need to handle it with extreme care!

If you suspect an open fracture of a cat's paw (the bone is protruding or sticking out), you should not try to set the bone. Such manipulation is carried out only by a doctor and only after the administration of an anesthetic drug. The paw can be fixed by applying a splint without changing the bend of the limb: a board, a branch or a piece plastic bottle applied to the injured limb and secured quite tightly with bandages. If it takes more than an hour to get to the clinic, the bandage must be loosened periodically to ensure normal blood flow. But a broken tail in a cat does not require fixation; the pet only needs to be brought to the clinic, and the doctor will do everything himself. Of course, you should be careful along the way and carefully monitor that the cat does not harm itself with overly active movements.

Cats have masterfully learned to avoid serious injuries when falling from a height, but they are not immune from fractures. The flexibility and strength of a cat's skeleton is ensured by 244 bones, which are fastened together by ligaments, and they do not fit tightly, compared to other mammals, which is what provides cats with such plasticity in movement. A cat's spine can make unimaginable movements, for example, turn over in the air with its paws down, even if the fall was made with its back down.

Bone tissue has a high margin of safety; it forms the outer layer of bone and the inner layer, where it is located Bone marrow. The strength of a cat's bones depends on the balance of its diet, the deficiency of some nutrients and minerals increases the risk of fractures even with simple movement.

Types of Fractures

Based on the nature of fractures, there are several types: open, closed, epiphyseal, fissure. There are also simple (2-3 fragments) and fragmentation, when the bone crumbles into many small bone fragments.

With a closed fracture, a complete rupture of the bone tissue occurs, while maintaining the integrity of the soft tissues and skin. Crack – occurs in cats (especially young ones) like a “green branch”. These are injuries that do not destroy the main body of the bone. An open fracture in cats is characterized by damage to bone tissue and muscles, ligaments, fascia and skin. Almost always accompanied secondary infection wounds when pathogenic microflora enters from the outside.

Epiphyseal fracture, or fracture in the growth plate. Typically, such fractures occur in young cats and kittens at the ends of large bones. The areas in which bone tissue grows are called epiphyseal plates. They consist of slightly calcified cells that form a soft, spongy area in the bone, so these areas in cats are very weak and the risk of fracture increases. The most common fractures for cats are the distal end of the femoral shaft or the humerus.

Bones and muscle cats are formed by nature in such a way that they are able to extinguish a large number of shock loads, and at the same time without damaging the skeleton. This circumstance allows cats to make incredible jumps at great heights without the risk of injury. The main cause of fractures is car collisions, falls from high altitude, attacks by larger animals and cruelty by humans.

Fractures are usually accompanied by combined injuries of muscles, tendons, ligaments and dislocations.

The most common fractures are:

Femurs that require complex surgery and the use of pins with orthopedic wire;

Vertebral fractures. Cracks or dislocations, which are very dangerous, as they are accompanied by damage and rupture of the spinal cord. If the caudal vertebrae are damaged, there may be neurological disorders, as well as disturbances in bowel movements and urination;

Fractures of the facial bones, most often the jaws, especially when falling from a great height, when the cat hits the ground;

Fractures pelvic bones– the most common type of damage. In some cases, it will heal on its own if the cat can support the body during the healing period. However, in most cases, a pelvic fracture requires surgical intervention and strengthening bones to prevent deformation and loss of function.

Signs

Symptoms of fractures depend on their location and severity. Fractures in the joint area are considered the most serious; if the spine is damaged, the spinal cord can be damaged and then complete paralysis will occur. If a paw is broken, the cat will hold it suspended and not move, and if there is a crack, bruise or sprain, the cat may lean slightly on the leg and limp. A cat owner who encounters a fracture in their pet for the first time must remember that this is a serious injury and it requires attention. qualified specialist. Often fractures are accompanied state of shock in the animal and damage to internal organs, as well as loss of blood, so it is necessary to take the cat to a veterinary clinic as quickly as possible. To transport a cat, it is necessary to fix it in the maximum position in which it is located, as well as the broken paw, so that greater displacement and damage do not occur. internal structures and fabrics. The cat is in a lot of pain, so you need to handle it with great care.

Therapy

Treatment of fractures in cats involves applying aids, which can firmly fix the bone in one position during the fusion period. The doctor will decide which remedy (splint, plaster, screws, plates) is needed. The method of treatment also depends on the nature of the fracture and its location, the age of the cat and concomitant injuries in the body. An open fracture is more difficult than a closed one, as there is a risk of infection. In young animals, fractures heal much faster than in older animals.

Treatment is always more difficult; prevention is better. You should carefully monitor your cat at home, especially in the spring, to prevent it from falling out of the window. And you shouldn’t let your cat “walk on its own,” especially if there is a roadway near the house. High quality and balanced diet, as well as a sufficient amount of minerals and vitamins will make the cat’s bones strong.

What to do if your cat has a broken femur and is there an open wound visible?

If possible, fix the paw in one position and apply a sterile bandage on top of the wound to prevent infection. And quickly take the cat to a veterinary clinic; with this type of fracture, surgery will be required.

The cat has a broken lower jaw, she cannot eat, but she swallows, what should I do and how to feed her?

First of all, go to a veterinary clinic, where the jaw will be “corrected”, but you will most likely have to feed it with pureed food and from a syringe until the cat is able to lap on its own.

How long will it take for a fracture to heal?

The time period depends on the type of fracture, the age of the animal and the nature of the associated injuries. Typically this period ranges from 6 weeks to four months.

Veterinary center "DobroVet"