A fracture is defined as a crack or break in the bone. Most fractures are due to high impact or stress on the bone, usually caused by automobile accidents or falls. The bones most commonly broken in cats are the femur, pelvis, tailbone, and jaw.

Symptoms and Types

The symptoms will mainly depend on the area in which the fracture is located. For example, a broken back may damage the cat's spinal cord and cause paralysis. Also, open fractures can lead to bone infections, which, in turn, may lead to a fever. However, some common signs that can be seen in one or all of these types include:

• Pain
• Whining or groaning
• Deformed or discolored area of skin
• Loss of function or abnormal mobility (e.g., limping)
• Crackling sounds (from the affected area) while moving

Fractures are broadly classified into three types:

1. Simple fractures: No wound present on the skin leading to the fracture site
2. Compound fracture: An open wound is present on the skin
3. Complicated fracture: Considerable injury to the neighboring important blood vessels or nerves

Causes

Cats are curious, independent creatures that can get themselves into precarious situations. To minimize in-home injuries, make sure your home is as accident-proof as possible. However, cats can also fracture bones outdoors by fighting, getting into automobile accidents, or by falling from great heights. Old age and diseases that make bones brittle are other causes for fractures.

Diagnosis

After observing clinical symptoms, your veterinarian will confirm the diagnosis by taking X-rays of the affected area.

Treatment

If there is severe blood loss or infection accompanying a fracture, your cat is likely to go into shock. Therefore, treating your cat for shock should be addressed first. Treatment of a fracture will then concentrate on reducing it and correctly aligning the bone. (Generally before attempting to reduce a fracture, muscle relaxant or anesthesia is administered to ease the muscle tension and also help numb the pain.) Finally, the fracture -- and the surrounding area -- should be immobilized by using bandages, splints, or pins.

In the case of limb fractures which occur above the knee or elbow, immobilize your cat by binding the leg to its body using pins or metallic plates. If you are at home, sometimes it is best to simply wrap the cat gently in a blanket or towel, with the injured leg close to its body, and then taking it to the veterinarian or emergency clinic. Conversely, fractures occurring below the knee or elbow wil be immobilized by your veterinarian with splints and casts.

In addition, severe skull fractures may require surgery to elevate the depressed fragment, while jaw fractures may involve repositioning the teeth.

Living and Management

Make sure that your cat does not bite or chew on the bandages or other medical devices used to immobilize the fracture. If necessary, use an Elizabethan collar to prevent your cat from reaching the injured area. Also, when bathing your cat, wrap the affected area with a plastic bag so that it does not get wet.

Prevention

Although fractures caused by accidents cannot be prevented, those that result due to bone disease can be. For example, fractures occurring because of a calcium deficiency can be prevented by giving your cat vitamin and mineral supplements. Meanwhile, secondary bone infections which occur due to complicated cases of fractures can be avoided, to a great extent, by seeking immediate veterinary help.