Fractures

Fracture through the weaker cartilage growth plate that is situated at the end of the femur (thigh bone) is relatively common in juvenile cats. These can occur following trauma within the house with the high-jinks that young cats get up to, or after accidents outside, such as road traffic accidents etc.

Dodo, an 8-month-old French Bulldog, suffered a fracture of a forelimb during play. The forelimb bones are the radius and the ulna, and the fracture affected the growth plates of the radius and the ulna, from which these bones grow.

At West Midlands Veterinary Referrals, we often see tibial (shin) bone fractures in cats, often at the lower end of the tibia.

Beau, a gentle middle aged Staffordshire Bull Terrier bitch, was mauled in the park by another dog in an unprovoked attack that left the accompanying owners with bite wounds.

Reggie, a working spaniel, suffered a fractured jaw. The mandible (lower jaw) was broken on both sides.

Pelvic fractures are common injuries after road traffic accidents in dogs and cats; we see them all the time at West Midlands Veterinary Referrals. The pelvis almost always breaks in at least two places and usually more.

Star, a much loved working dog and also a family pet from a sheep farm in the Welsh valleys, was involved in a road traffic accident on the farm.

This young dog suffered a tricky distal tibial fracture with limited soft bone at the lower end of the tibia (shin bone). It was fixed with a hybrid external fixator using a circular ring.

Tilly is 18 years old, and as sweet and gentle a cat as you’ll ever find. She likes nothing more than going out to the end of the drive to see the school kids passing by each morning and evening.