How to Put a Splint on a Puppy

Splinting is done most frequently in cases of a suspected fractured or broken leg. If done properly, you may prevent further damage to the puppy's leg until you can get it to a veterinarian. Puppies may suffer from closed fractures, in which the bone is broken but does not penetrate the skin; greenstick fractures, in which the bone is intact but cracked; compound fractures, in which the bone penetrates the skin; and epiphyseal fractures, in which the growth areas between the bones are fractured.

Things You'll Need

  • Gauze pads
  • Tap water
  • Rolls of cotton and gauze
  • Adhesive tape
  • Wire hanger
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Instructions

    • 1

      Muzzle the puppy by applying a bandage two to three feet long. Arrange the bandage into a knot and place the puppies head inside the knot. Gently tie the knot around the puppy's muzzle about one to two inches from the puppy's nose. Tie another know below the puppy's mouth, pull the two free ends of the gauze behind the puppy's ears and tie the ends at the base of the puppy's head.

    • 2

      Wash your hands and, if a wound is present, cleanse the edges of the wound with a damp piece of gauze and irrigate the wound with clean tap water. (See References 2)

    • 3

      Wrap several layers of cotton roll around the leg, including the joints above and below the fracture. Compress the cotton roll by applying several layers of stretch gauze over the cotton. The bandage should be snug to provide proper stabilization, but should not be overly tight as to impede circulation.

    • 4

      Place a straight piece of thin meta,l such as a straightened wire hanger, on either side of the leg and apply one layer of adhesive tape over the bandage to secure it in place. Cover the bandage and splint with elastic bandage and tape the top of the bandage to the puppy by using one layer of adhesive tape. Make sure that the tape covers both the bandage and the puppy's hair so that it is secure.