Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

16 •DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
muscular forces causing the displacement. Once reduced, the position of the
bones must be maintained. In most dogs, with fractures above the knee or
elbow the position is held with pins and metal plates, while fractures below
the knee or elbow are immobilized with splints and casts. Fractures involving
joints usually require open surgery and repair with pins, screws, and wire.
Displaced jaw fractures cause malposition of the teeth. The jaw should be
adjusted and the teeth wired together to maintain the correct position until
healing is complete.
Depressed skull fractures may require surgery to elevate the depressed
fragments.
Burns
A magazine makes a good
temporary splint for leg
fractures below the elbow
or knee. Hold the magazine
in place with tape.
An effective splint crosses
the joints above and
below the fracture site.
Burns are caused by heat, chemicals, electric shocks, or radiation. Hot liquids
may scald a dog. Sunburn is an example of a radiation burn. It occurs on the
noses of dogs with insufficient pigment and on the skin of white-coated dogs
who are clipped short in summer.
The extent of skin damage depends upon the length of exposure.
A first-degree burn causes the skin to become red, slightly swollen, and
painful. It usually heals in about five days.
A second-degree burn is deeper and there is blistering. These burns are
extremely painful. If there is no infection, healing is usually complete in 21
days.
A third-degree burn involves the full thickness of skin and extends into
the subcutaneous fat. These burns appear charred, dry, and leathery. The hair
comes out easily when pulled. Deep burns, because they destroy nerve endings,
usually are not as painful as second-degree burns.