How to Support a Dog's Broken Leg

When Buddy or Rover has a broken bone, the first emotion you may feel is panic as your pet yelps and whines in pain. Thankfully, supporting a bone for the trip to the veterinarian can be done in a few minutes with a cooperative dog and a little ingenuity. Finding the right size board can be a challenge, but nearly every home has an item lurking in the cupboard or garage that can be used as a makeshift stretcher.

Things You'll Need

  • Piece of plywood, baking sheet or other flat, movable surface
  • Surgical tape

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a hard, flat object to lay your dog on. Depending on your dog's size, you can use a baking tray, piece of plywood or any other flat, sturdy and mobile object. If you have a dog crate, remove the bottom tray from your crate and use that as a stretcher.

    • 2

      If your dog has an open wound, wrap the wound with sterile gauze.

    • 3

      Lay your dog down on the surface. The side with the broken leg should be flat on the surface.

    • 4

      Tape your dog's broken leg to the flat surface using the surgical tape. If you have no surgical tape, use painter's tape or masking tape instead.

    • 5

      Tape your dog down to the surface with as few strips as possible. Place a strip across the neck, one over each leg and one across the whole body.

    • 6

      Cover your buddy with a blanket and get him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.