Veterinary SurgeryRefer a case
Orthopedic surgery · Kentucky & Southern Indiana
Fracture repair in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky
Dr. Joshua A. Bruce, DVM, DACVS-SA provides board-certified fracture repair for dogs and cats through KVS partner veterinary clinics.
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Fracture repair for dogs and cats
Broken bones often happen from being hit by a car, falls, or jumping from furniture or arms, especially in small and toy breeds. Many fractures heal best when the bone pieces are realigned and held firmly in place with surgery, so the pet can use the leg comfortably while the bone heals.
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How fractures are repaired
The repair depends on which bone is broken, how it broke, and the patient's age and size. Options include bone plates and screws, intramedullary pins, wires, and external fixators. Your veterinarian's radiographs help plan the right approach. Dr. Bruce most often uses open reduction with internal fixation, meaning plates and screws or pins, and can use external fixators when needed. KVS generally doesn't treat spinal fractures, pelvic fractures, or most jaw fractures, and refers those elsewhere.
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What to do after an injury
If your pet may have a broken bone, contact your veterinarian or an emergency hospital right away. They will stabilize your pet, manage pain, and take radiographs. Your veterinarian can then refer the case to KVS for surgical planning. KVS doesn't provide emergency care. Timing of surgery after referral depends on openings in the surgery schedule.
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How the KVS referral model works
Your veterinarian evaluates and stabilizes the injury.
KVS reviews the radiographs and plans the repair.
Surgery stays with the local team at the participating clinic, followed by a coordinated recovery and recheck plan.
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Recovery
Most fractures heal within 4–8 weeks, depending on the bone and the pet's age; young animals heal faster. Recovery means strict activity restriction and recheck radiographs to confirm the bone is healing. Rechecks are usually at 2 weeks to remove stitches and then at 4–8 weeks, depending on the pet's age, for radiographs to check bone healing. Most of the time the implants stay in place permanently; they are removed only if there is an infection or, in very young dogs, if pins migrate.
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Service area
Louisville Metro and surrounding Kentucky communities; Lexington and Central Kentucky partner practices; Southern Indiana. KVS is not a walk-in hospital. Availability is coordinated with participating veterinary clinics.
Common questions
Common questions about fracture repair
Who performs fracture repair for KVS?
Dr. Joshua A. Bruce, DVM, DACVS-SA, an ACVS board-certified small-animal surgeon and the owner of Kentucky Veterinary Surgery.
Where is fracture repair performed?
At participating veterinary clinics in Louisville, Lexington, surrounding Kentucky communities, and Southern Indiana.
Does KVS see emergencies?
No. Emergency care comes first from your veterinarian or an emergency hospital, which can then refer the fracture to KVS.
Will the plate or pins stay in forever?
Often, yes. Some implants are removed after the bone heals if they cause problems or for certain fracture types.
How do I get started?
Your veterinarian takes radiographs and submits a referral to KVS for review.
Sources
References
- American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Fractured Limbs. https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/fractured-limbs/
Next step
Start with the veterinary team who knows your pet.
Pet owners: ask your primary veterinarian to submit the referral.
Find a partner clinic