First, are you sure that this is not complicated with MBD?
Everthing I am posting is way too complicated for a young boy, do you have access to the animal? Even with experiance you really need x-rays to identify the fracture, check for bone density, and rule out other complications such as the rare instance of comminuted fractures.
I am just going to copy an excerpt form Reptile Medicine and Surgery by D. Mader. If you want any pictures e-mail me.
Healing time for tramatic fractures is generally 6- 18 months (yes thats 18, I didn't mis-type, reptiles heal slowly). Pathalogical fractures from MBD heal much more quickly (6-8 weeks) following correction of hypocalcemia and treatment with synthetic salmon calcitonin...
...Fractures that are minimally displaces usually heal with with minimal support...
(when complicated with MBD) ...These fractures are hard to stabilize using internal fixation because the bones are too soft to support implants...Fortunately, once the patients calcium homeostasis has been re-established, fracture healing progresses reapidly with a fibrous union providing stability as early as 3-4 weeks.
A wide variety of splinting and casting techniques have been used successfully... All form of external coaptation should be monitered closely for evidence of soiling, slippage, creation of vascular compromise, or other problems.
Soft conforming cast padding and conforming roll gauze work well for the initial padding layers. These materials should be cut to an appropriate width. Using a roll that is too wide will result in a lumpy, cumbersome bandage. The bandage may be reinforced with a wooden applicator stick, a tounge depressor, an aluminum rod, lightweight casting material, or other substances that will provide bending stability. Most of these do not conform to the normal angles of a reptile limb, necessitating that the limb be splinted in extension. This can result in a decreased in the range of motion in immobilized joints following splint removal.
In applying a splint, tape stirrups may be applied to the skin to be incorporated into the bandage and prevent slippage. The first layer should consist of padding material. The padding is compressed with an expansile wrap such as conforming gauze, bandaging tape, or elastic tape. If no reinforcing spint is necessary, elastic tape or bandaging tape should be used. Is a splinting material is reguired, conforming gauze is should be applied. The splint should be placed external to the guaze and covered with a final layer layer of bandaging or elastic tape.
Tubular traction may be used to treat fractures of the crus, antebrachium, distal humerus, and distal femur. A tube such as a syringe case of an appropriate diameter for the patients limb size, and should be padded at the proximal end. Tape stirrups are applied to the limb and secured to it. padding is added to the limb to limit movement within the tube. The tape is then secured to the outside of the tube maintaining the limb in extension and traction.
In lizards with fractures in the humerus or femur may be stabilized with a modified spica splint that will cross over the pelvic or pectoral girdle to the opposite limb, stabilizing the hip or shoulder joint and achieving the goal of immobilizing the joints proximal and distal to the fracture. Most lizards stand relativly
In reptiles the degree of malalignment that is acceptable is much higher then in mammals. When some degree of malalignment is acceptable, the limb may be stabilized by securin it to the body. This is espcially applicable in lizards with MBD...Fractures of the humerous may be stabilized by pulling the leg caudually to apply traction to aid in reducting and securing the limb to the body with adhesive tape. The tape must not be aplied to tightly that it will interfere with respiration. With this method, some motion is expected at the fracture site as a result of body movement, but in many cases the result is acceptable.
Kakadu Dragons
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