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Casting and Splinting in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 12/07/2016Updated: 11/04/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Casting and Splinting?
Casts are a form of external immobilization, custom-made to conform to the injured extremity of the canine. The casts lie in close contact with the skin, made of several layers of padding and plaster. However, other materials may be used to create a cast, including polyurethane-impregnated cotton-polyester, fiberglass, or thermal plastics.
A splint is a rigid material used to aid in immobilization and support of a not yet set bone. The same materials used to construct casts can be used in splint creation, but thermal plastic is commonly used as it possesses the ability for reuse. Ready-made splints of aluminum or plastic are also commonly used for fractures, and are easily applied.
Casting and Splinting Procedure in Dogs
Casting
Casting is conducted using aseptic technique, meaning the method used to complete a cast is designed to prevent microorganism contamination. The dog may be anesthetized and the affected area may be shaved prior to the procedure.
The following describes casting technique used on a foreleg fracture:
- The dog is placed in lateral recumbency (lying on the side) with the injured extremity facing down.
- A stirrup is created as tape is applied to the ventral and dorsal aspects of the foot. The leg is elevated and supported to maintain the elevated position for casting.
- A stockinette bandage may be applied if deemed necessary.
- Padding is applied to the elevated leg. Padding underneath the cast consists of layers that are wound tightly around the leg, starting from the distal to proximal aspects of the leg. Several layers will be applied.
- The cast material is rolled around the leg, from distal to proximal limb aspects, overlapping itself on each encirclement. Several layers may be applied.
- Wet plaster is then placed atop of the casting material and conformed to the unique shape of the leg. A slight flexion is placed in the plaster on the carpus to prevent a valgus deformity as the bone heals.
- Visible padding at both ends of the cast are turned downward and taped over the stirrup to aid in position maintenance of the cast.
- Plaster will take several hours to dry, therefore, the canine will be hospitalized overnight prior to release.
Splinting
Splints are not total encircling devices, but aid in early immobilization when a fracture is accompanied by a great deal of swelling.
In splinting of a foreleg fracture, strips of plaster run down the cranial and caudal aspects, bound together by a tape or elastic gauze. Splint material is chosen according to the size of the dog and length of the limb. The strips are laid on the dressing table and plaster is made wet.
- The wet strips are placed on the affected leg, starting from the toe to the elbow.
- Uniform distance is maintained between the cranial and caudal aspects, then gauze is wrapped in a circular motion around the plaster.
- The splint is flexed to conform to the natural bend in the extremity and tape is applied for security.
Efficacy of Casting and Splinting in Dogs
Surgically treated fractures will heal approximately 97% of the time without complications of serious nature. The rate of healing can be as low as 50% to 95% depending on whether or not the canine is experiencing secondary complications (swelling, infection). Casting and splinting conducted by a veterinary or orthopedic veterinary profession will result in permanent fixation of the affected skeleton.
Casting and Splinting Recovery in Dogs
Pain medication is the norm for send-home drug therapy after a casting or splinting endeavor. However, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed in cases of secondary damage caused by the injury (swelling or infection).
The at-home care provided by the pet owner accounts for approximately 50% of recovery. Limbs that have been casted must be checked twice daily for effective circulation. Cold, swollen, or blue tinged toes indicate a problem and must be addressed immediately. The cast must stay impeccably clean and dry, to prevent infection. Dirty, damp or odorous casts must be changed immediately.
Check-ups with the veterinarian and total recovery time lies dependent on the injury type. Several months of recovery time are to be expected.
Cost of Casting and Splinting in Dogs
Casting and splinting can be an expensive, yet highly effective treatment for fracture or breaks. It is often an available 'back up option' when surgery is not affordable or possible for whatever reason.The average cost to cast or splint an extremity is approximately $2,000, but total body casts can average up to $5,000. Ask your veterinarian about the price deemed appropriate, as prices vary depending on the condition and veterinarian.
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Dog Casting and Splinting Considerations
The risks of using a cast or splint are limited in the veterinary clinic, as most risks are present at home. Improper care can pose a risk of infection, loss of circulation, necrotic tissues and delayed healing time. If the extremity was casted properly, the benefits reach the treatment goal of fixating the fractured or broken limb.
Casting and Splinting Prevention in Dogs
The need of casting or splinting for dogs can be prevented by taking basic safety measures. Fenced in yards, the use of a leash and keeping an eye on your dog will prevent the majority of skeletal injuries from occurring. Blunt force traumas, hit-by-car accidents, falls, and fights are the most commonly reported causes of casting needs.
Casting and Splinting Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Maltipoo
Ellie
5 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Limping
Our puppy fractured her back leg and was put in a splint for a few weeks. She got it taken off two days ago, and doesn’t seem to be in pain, but also isn’t putting any pressure on her leg. She will put it down when standing, but holds it up when walking. Should we be concerned or should we give her time? Does she need to go back to the vet? Is there anything we can do to encourage her to use the leg? Thank you!
Aug. 11, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Sometimes when dogs have a trauma like that, they learn to not use the leg and they remember that it hurt, so they continue to function without using the leg. Ellie should gradually use the leg more over time, but if she continues to hold it up more, or seems painful, then it would be a good idea to have her rechecked with her veterinarian just to make sure that everything is going well.
Aug. 11, 2018
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Pug
Butter
6 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Limping
Hi, My puppy pug (4 months old) broke her humerus bone in her front left leg. She has had 3 surgeries on the leg and now has a plate with 4 screws to hold the bones in place. She had a cast on for over 1 month. Her leg muscles has atrophied, but break has healed. Now that her cast is off for 3 weeks now. she still resist to put any weight no that leg. Water therapy does not work as she does not like the water and does not move. We massage and take her on short walks. She uses the leg, but does not put weight on it. What can we do to encourage her to use the leg more to regain muscle mass?
July 31, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
You may just need to continue to walk her and encourage her to do things like go down stairs to put more weight on that leg. If it was painful, she may have learned very well to not use it, and it may just be a matter of time.
July 31, 2018
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medium mixed bread
Loki
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Broken Leg
My dog recently got hurt, he has a broken sacrum and a broken leg. he hates the cast. he acts like he wants to walk and gets so angry his foot doesn't touch the ground. he then tried to chew the cast, once i reprimanded that he started hitting his leg on the side of the kennel and tried to catch the cast on the kennel to pull it off. is there an alternative i can talk to my vet about? we have him on a leash and in the kennel but he is miserable having this cast on. Also, he isn't aggressive, he is having normal bowel movements, he isn't showing signs of pain or distress (other than hating the cast).
July 29, 2018
0 Recommendations
A cast is annoying for a dog as they don’t understand that it is there for their own good, however there are few options available and a cast is great to immobilise the fracture(s) but any other method would still result in frustration for Loki; this is one of those situations which you would need to ride out. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 29, 2018
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Pomeranian
Niko
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Broken Metatarsels
Is a dog has broken his metatarsals and we are now on the 3rd changing of his cast (going every ten day) should the cast fall off? Literally, he was laying in bed (sleeps with the cone on his head) and the cast slipped off of his leg. Also the last cast they had put on cut the top of his leg.
July 7, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
The cast should not fall off, no. Any pressure that Niko puts on those toes is going to make it take longer to heal. Hind legs can be challenging to splint or cast, however, as they taper to a small foot. They do slip off sometimes. It would be best to have him seen today to have the splint re-applied. I'm not sure how often your veterinarian recommended recheck x-rays, but that may be a good idea as it has been a month since the fracture occurred, to assess healing.
July 7, 2018
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Boxer
Jacki
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
My dog had a splint put on yesterday. She spent most of the night panting and Yelp barking every so often. She is eating and drinking, as well as going potty. She is on a NSAIDs. My question is it’s now the weekend and I won’t be able to take her to the vet till Monday. Is the panting and yelping at night normal, or should I take her to an emergency vet? She did great right after the splint was put on. It seems to be just at night that there is a problem.
June 9, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Without seeing Jacki and knowing more about her, it is hard for me to comment on whether she is having a problem. If she had sedation, sometimes there can be behavioral changes in the short term, and that may be what is happening. If she is not bothering with the leg, seems comfortable, and there are no abnormal odors or swellings with the splint, you should be fine to monitor her. If any of those things start to occur, she should be seen by a veterinarian.
June 9, 2018
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Pomeranian
Pom
14 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
Panting
Pain When Lifted
My dog Pom fractures his left tibia and a fiberglass cast was placed with sedation. I brought him home hours later and gave him pain meds. Every time he tries to get up to move around he yells, goes stiff and pants. He also peed on himself when we got home and had plenty of water since. He will not use the bathroom now that he cannot get around and his bladder is FULL, any suggestions?
Mixed breed
Abednego
11 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
He Was Limping Before I Went To The
Hello, here’s some info about my dog before I get to the question:
My chihuahua is a mixed breed between chihuahua and Japanese chin so he’s a little bigger than a chihuahua.
Hes a puppy at 11 months.
His injury resulted from jumping out of someone’s arms.
In his left front arm he broke a bone in two places.
I went to the vet and they put a splint (but it kind of looks like a cast) on his leg and the vet said I should return in 10 days to rechange it.
The day before Christmas Eve is that day and I will be out of town visiting family with him.
My question: Is it okay to wear an extra few days to get it rechanged since we will be out of town? I am also kind of financially strapped (not because of Christmas I only bought one - two presents per person) till my next pay check which will be the 28th of December and today is the 22nd. Is it okay to wait a few extra days??
German Shepherd
Koda
5 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Limping
My dog had a Splint for about 6 weeks they just took it off and did x-ray, the leg looks completely healed but my dog still limps and his leg look funny is this normal
