An animal with a broken bone may refuse to put weight on the leg, be in obvious pain, or have swelling or an abnormal angle in the leg. With some fractures the change is less obvious. If a wound reaches down to the fracture, it is called an open fracture and the risk of infection increases. Do not try to bend, straighten or test a suspected broken leg at home.
After more severe trauma, the broken bone is not always the most dangerous injury. Animals that have been hit by a vehicle, fallen from a height or been through other major trauma first need to be assessed for bleeding, chest injuries and other potentially life-threatening problems, for example. Once the patient is stable, X-rays are usually taken to see where the fracture is and how the bone fragments lie.
Some stable fractures can be treated with a supportive bandage or other external stabilisation, while many need surgery. In surgical treatment, plates, screws, intramedullary pins, external fixators or other techniques may be used, depending on what the fracture looks like. Fractures close to a joint need particular precision, because malalignment of the joint surface can affect future function. Treatment is followed by a period of restricted activity, follow-up X-rays and gradual rehabilitation.
Seek emergency care if the leg is clearly out of line, if your pet cannot put weight on it after an accident, if bone can be seen through a wound, or if your pet's general condition is affected at the same time.