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
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.
If your dog has an open wound, wrap the wound with sterile gauze.
Lay your dog down on the surface. The side with the broken leg should be flat on the surface.
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.
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.
Cover your buddy with a blanket and get him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.