Accidents can happen in seconds. Your dog may be hit by a car, fall from a height, become injured during rough play, or be hurt in a fight with another animal.
Even when there is little or no visible damage, serious internal injuries may still be present. Knowing what to do during a pet emergency can help you stay calm, protect your dog from further injury and get veterinary care as quickly as possible.
If your dog has been involved in an accident, don’t wait for symptoms to become severe before seeking advice. Some signs of internal bleeding, fractures, shock or other trauma are not always visible immediately after an accident.
Why a Dog Can Look Fine After an Accident
A dog can appear to be fine after an accident and still have a serious injury. Shock and adrenaline can temporarily mask pain or change your dog’s behaviour, while some injuries, including internal bleeding or damage to internal organs, may not cause obvious external signs.
For example, a dog may walk around normally, respond to you or even seem eager to continue moving immediately after a road accident. This does not necessarily mean they are uninjured. Pain, weakness, breathing difficulties or changes in behaviour can become more noticeable as the effects of adrenaline wear off.
This is why it is important not to rely solely on how your dog looks or behaves after an accident. A veterinary examination can help identify injuries that may not be immediately obvious. Depending on your dog’s condition and the type of accident, your vet may recommend further assessment, such as blood tests or diagnostic imaging.
Bleeding
The right first-aid response depends on where the bleeding is coming from and whether it is visible or potentially internal.
Bleeding From a Wound. Cuts, punctures, bites and other injuries can cause external bleeding. If blood is flowing heavily, pooling quickly or soaking through a dressing within minutes, treat it as an emergency.
Blood in Your Dog’s Poop. Seeing blood in your dog’s faeces can be alarming. Bright red blood generally indicates fresh bleeding somewhere in the lower digestive tract, rectum or anus, while very dark or black, tarry faeces can indicate digested blood from higher up in the digestive tract.
Nose or Mouth Bleeding. Bleeding from your dog’s nose or mouth can occur following an injury, but unexplained bleeding can also be associated with problems affecting blood clotting.
Bleeding From a Paw or Broken Nail. A cut paw, torn nail or broken nail can bleed more than you might expect because the area contains many blood vessels.
Internal Bleeding in Dogs. Internal bleeding is more difficult to recognise because there may be no visible wound or blood. It can occur after trauma such as being hit by a car, a fall or another significant injury. There is no safe way to stop internal bleeding at home.
Dog Has A Broken Leg
If you think your dog has a broken leg, treat the injury as an emergency and keep them as still and calm as possible. A fracture may cause your dog to refuse to put weight on the leg, hold it at an unusual angle, develop swelling, or react painfully when the area is touched. Do not try to straighten, massage or manipulate the injured leg. Moving a fractured limb unnecessarily can increase your dog’s pain and may cause further injury.
Instead, keep your dog confined and arrange a veterinary assessment as soon as possible. For a small dog, a secure carrier can help limit movement during transport. For a larger dog, you may need assistance to move them safely while supporting their body.
A veterinarian may need to examine the limb and use diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, to determine whether the bone is fractured and assess the extent of the injury. Early assessment can help prevent complications and ensure your dog receives appropriate pain relief and treatment.
Dog Has Been Hit by a Car
Being struck by a vehicle should always be taken seriously, even if your dog appears to have escaped with only minor injuries.
A dog struck by a vehicle may suffer from internal bleeding, chest or abdominal injuries, broken bones, spinal trauma, head injuries or shock. Some injuries can worsen over time, and a dog that is still walking or behaving normally may not be out of danger.
If your dog has been involved in a road accident, keep them as still and calm as possible and avoid unnecessary movement. If they cannot walk, use a firm surface such as a board or blanket to help move them while supporting their body. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before contacting a vet. Do not encourage your dog to walk around after a serious collision simply to see whether they can move normally.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Is Injured in an Accident?
Your first priority is to keep yourself and your dog safe. An injured or frightened dog may bite, even if they are normally gentle.
If it is safe to approach your dog:
- Move them away from immediate danger. Only do this if you can do so without putting yourself at risk.
- Keep your dog calm and minimise movement. Avoid allowing them to walk around unnecessarily, particularly if there may be a broken bone, spinal injury or other serious trauma.
- Check their breathing and responsiveness. Difficulty breathing, collapse or reduced responsiveness requires urgent veterinary attention.
- Look for obvious wounds or bleeding. If there is significant external bleeding, use clean cloth or gauze and apply firm, continuous pressure to the wound while arranging veterinary care.
- Do not remove embedded objects. If something is lodged in a wound, leave it in place and seek veterinary treatment immediately.
- Avoid giving food, water or medication unless a vet specifically advises you to.
- Contact your veterinary hospital. Explain what happened, what injuries you can see and how your dog is behaving so the veterinary team can advise you on the next step.
- Transport your dog carefully. Keep movement to a minimum and support their body during transport. A blanket can be used as a temporary stretcher for a larger dog if they cannot safely walk.
Should You Give Your Dog Painkillers?
No. Do not give your dog human painkillers unless your veterinarian has specifically told you to use a particular medication and dose.
Pain relief that is safe for people can be dangerous for dogs. Common human medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen and some other over-the-counter painkillers can cause serious problems, including stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney damage. The risk depends on the medication, amount given and your dog’s individual health.
Veterinarians have access to pain-relief medicines specifically used in dogs, including veterinary NSAIDs. The right treatment and dose depend on factors such as your dog’s condition, health and other medications they may be taking.
If you have already given your dog a human painkiller, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible and tell them the name of the medication, strength, amount given and when it was given. Do not wait for signs of poisoning to appear. Human medication poisoning can require prompt veterinary treatment.
Don’t Wait for the Injury to Get Worse
A pet injury can look minor at first, but some problems are not immediately obvious. Internal bleeding, fractures, soft tissue damage or pain can become more serious even when your dog is still walking, eating or acting relatively normally.
That does not mean every small cut, bump or scrape needs an emergency vet visit. However, if your dog is in significant pain, struggling to walk, bleeding heavily, having difficulty breathing, showing weakness or becoming unusually quiet, seek veterinary attention promptly.
If you are unsure how serious the injury is, contact Rossmore Vet Hospital for veterinary advice and assessment. Explain what happened, what injuries you can see and how your dog is behaving.