Fracture of the Radius and Ulna: It is very seldom indeed that one of these bones alone are broken; if one goes, the other does. They form the arm; that is, the fore leg from elbow to the knee.
Treatment: In these cases four padded splints should be applied—one on each side, and one at the back, and one in front of the leg. The one in front must be shorter than the side ones, so as not to rub the front of the elbow joint or the toes, and the one on the inside of the leg should be slightly shorter than the one on the outside. One, two, or three six-yard thin bandages must be fairly firmly applied, commencing right down at the foot and carried up over the elbow joint.
It is a good plan to apply a few strips of Mead’s plaister over the bandage; it keeps it from slipping.
Fracture of the Lower Extremity of the Shoulder Bone, and Humerus: These fractures in the elbow joint almost always consist of a breaking off of the inner condyle of the humerus, and as a consequence the limb becomes shortened.
Treatment: These cases cannot be cured, and it is best not to bandage them; in fact, they are best left to Nature, for whatever is done, the dog remains always lame, but after a time he adapts himself to circumstances, and makes good use of the shortened leg.
Fracture of the Humerus: This bone may be fractured through the shaft.
Treatment: it is a somewhat difficult bone to set, as it is situated so close to the body that it is not easy to put a bandage round; but a splint made of poro-plaister may be moulded to the bone, and kept in its place with one-inch wide strips of Mead’s plaister. They should be cut about six inches long.
Fracture of Scapula or Blade Bone:
Treatment: These fractures should be treated by fixing with hot pitch an oval piece of thin, pliable leather, large enough to just more than cover over the bone.