At Villablanca Veterinary Hospital Trauma is profuse, since we have a 24-hour service where most of the emergencies cases that come in during emergency hours are traumas due to traffic accidents, falls from heights and animal fights.

Injuries mainly affect limbs, chest and head. Also, the pelvis, spine fracture and dislocate joints against direct hits. Some situations occur from paralysis lameness and can escalate up to spinal or cerebral trauma.

Once the animal handler reaches our service we evaluate and explore closely for injuries that may have occur. If necessary, we will use x-rays and ultrasound for additional tests follow with possible blood and urine analysis   to acknowledge the extent of the injuries. It is very important to establish a   forecast, to determine if the injuries are minor, moderate or severe.

Soft tissue injuries (Skin, muscle, organ, etc…), it may require immediate surgery, depending on the patient situation. Injuries to bones, typically, should be operated and previously studied the pros and cons against the operation. It is not the same a non-displaced fracture in a pelvis of a eight month dog with 5 kg of weight, that a compound fracture (continuative) of humerus in an adult animal of 40 kg.

Once surgeons and anesthetists study the patient and the conditions, they proceed to administer a general anesthesia and surgery is performed to fixed and stabilize the fracture, "sine qua non" for the bone to heal and return to normal.

There are numerous methods to fix and stabilize but the most used in Veterinary Traumatology are: cerclage, needles, nails, external fixators, plates and screws.   The material used may be surgical steel or titanium.

These fastening methods may be used in isolation or combined together. It is common for an orthopedist needles combined with cerclage or external fixation with intramedullary nails, etc….

As important as it is to repair fracture, the postoperative period recovery is very important:   convalescence. This period ranges from   10 to 14 weeks   and during this time is very important to follow trauma recommendation, obediently given medication and prevent the animal from being touched or traumatize the surgical wound. It must wear an Elizabethan collar or muzzle and especially   rest with control exercise, which should be restricted and monitored during the first couple of weeks.

Rehabilitation   and physiotherapy is very important.   Our trauma service specialists will recommend the best methods for your dog or cat to be back to normal like before the accident