How to Care for a Puppy with Broken Limbs

Puppies are full of energy and hard to restrain. With a broken limb, a puppy needs to stay as still and restrained as possible to prevent any further damage. Further pressure or disruption to the broken limb can lead to a permanent deformity. Puppies are more susceptible to this because they are not finished growing and their bones are still soft.


At first, restraining the puppy will not be very hard because he will still probably be a little sore, but in a couple of days, with the help of medicine, the puppy will be just as playful as it was before. Keeping the puppy calm is hard--and reminding yourself that the puppy is still hurt and healing is even harder.

Things You'll Need

  • Small animal veterinarian
  • Medicine
  • Crate
  • Child gates
  • Rugs

Instructions

    • 1

      Take your puppy to the veterinarian as soon as the injury occurs. This way the break can be properly set and cast, and you can be given medication to help ease the puppy's pain.

    • 2

      Follow your veterinarian's instructions precisely. This includes how to walk the puppy to go to the bathroom, medication, how to feed her with her medication, and return visits for checkups.

    • 3

      Set up a crate to be a comfortable home for your puppy. The crate should be just a little bigger than the puppy, allowing him to stand and move around a bit. Also remember that the puppy will still be growing during this time, so give him some growing room.

    • 4

      Set up a small area in your home, no bigger than six feet by six feet, for restricted play time. Use the child gates to block off the area. If this area is on linoleum, tile or wood, use the rugs to cover this slick surface so the puppy will not slide around. This could stress the broken bone more.

    • 5

      Use the crate for when you are not able to watch the puppy. This will also help with housebreaking; generally a puppy will not have an accident in the area where he sleeps.

    • 6

      Allow the puppy to have some time in the restricted play area to get him out of the crate and have interaction time with you. Keep your veterinarian's instructions in mind during this time.