If your dog takes a hit from a larger animal or vehicle, he might well come out with a broken bone. On average, a pet with a fracture will need to limit activities for two to three months while the break heals. Many factors influence healing time, including the pet's age, activity level and general health.
Age Isn't the Only Factor
When your dog is less than a year old, his bones tend to knit together faster than when he is an adult. A pup may heal in as little as four weeks and be ready to romp around. Adult dogs need about eight weeks and seniors close to three months. Other injuries, his activity level or health problems will cause a break to mend more slowly. Complete breaks and shattered bones naturally will take longer to heal than a fracture that only goes partway through the bone.
Helping Your Dog Heal
Personal care is essential to helping your dog heal quickly and completely. Your dog's fracture will heal faster if you restrict his activity in a crate during the first few weeks and supervise him carefully when he is not contained. Most dogs want to run around long before a fracture is ready for full activity, potentially reinjuring the break and delaying healing. Vet-prescribed therapies should be followed carefully to promote rapid recovery. Therapies may include cold therapy to reduce inflammation, range of motion exercises to keep his joints flexible and massage to increase circulation.
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Indulging her passion for vacation vagary through the written word on a full-time basis since 2010, travel funster Jodi Thornton-O'Connell guides readers to the unexpected, quirky, and awe-inspiring.