The Life Span Cycle Of Vet Care For Dogs

Things You Need to Do if Your Dog Is Hit By a Car

15 October 2018 by Leonard Wallace

Even if you take steps to keep your dog safe such as keeping it on a lead or locking your garden gate, there will always be a risk that your dog will get into the road where it could be hit by a vehicle. Each year, many dogs are injured or killed following a road traffic accident. If your dog is hit by a car, it is vital that you understand the things you should look out for and the action you need to take. Below is a guide to everything you need to know. 

If your dog has been hit by a car, it is important that you take action immediately. Any delay could drastically increase the chance that your dog will suffer long-term injury or even death. Make note of the following points.

Do not immediately move your dog

When you see your pet lying injured in the road, your natural instinct may be to pick it up so you can carry it to the safety of your home. However, you should not do this. Suddenly moving your dog could cause further injury. For example, if your dog has suffered any damage to its spine, moving the dog could result in paralysis. If the dog has any broken bones, moving the dog could cause these bones to puncture surrounding tissue and organs.

Assess the extent of any injuries

Before you can move your dog can take them to your local vet surgery, you will need to assess the extent of their injuries. The first thing you should look for is any sign of bleeding or any open wounds. If you find any bleeding wounds, you should check them out to judge their severity. Flesh wounds will typically only affect the outer layer of skin. However, if you can see muscle and bone beneath a wound, this suggests that extra care will need to be taken when moving the dog.

You should also gently press on different parts of your pet's body. Doing so will allow you to assess if any hidden internal injuries have occurred. If your dog becomes distressed when pressure is applied to a particular area, it is likely internal bleeding or organ damage has occurred. Again, extra care should be used when moving your dog, and the painful areas should be supported.

Move the dog to a vehicle and transport them to a vet

With the assistance of others, you should gently lift the animal onto a blanket which can then be used to carry the dog to a vehicle. The dog should then be taken to the nearest veterinary surgery for assessment and treatment.

If you would like further info, you should contact your local vet today.

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