Everyone wants to keep their puppy or pet safe always. However, the unthinkable may happen, leaving the pet injured or in great pain. For instance, the pet could be hit by your car or another car. But what should you do? As a pet parent, you should take the right steps to save its life. Of course, you should remain calm and show your pet a lot of care. Move it from the road, assess its injuries, and look for the nearest animal hospital. If yours was hit by a vehicle, these three questions could greatly guide you.
Which Injuries Is the Pet Likely to Sustain?
Your dog can sustain a wide range of injuries after being hit by a car. Some injuries could be minor, but others could be fatal. This mainly depends on the car's speed and whether the pet was hit head-on. But whether the pet sustained minor or major injuries, you should take it to a vet immediately. The vet will diagnose leg injuries, spinal injuries, and head trauma, among other health concerns. They could also diagnose bruising, grazes and cuts, and also internal injuries where vital organs like the liver, spleen, and bladder are involved. In case of a head-on collision, your pet could experience broken teeth, fractured jaws, or even a concussion.
How Should You Transport It to the Vet?
You need to think of how you will transport the pet to the vet after the accident for further assessment and treatment. Besides giving the pet first aid by the roadside, you can't do much. If your pet sustains minor injuries, you will easily transport it in your car. If its legs were seriously injured, you might need a stretcher to get it into the car and safely carry it to the vet. However, extra care is required in case of a suspected spinal injury. Here, you may need a firm board to carry it on and perhaps a blanket to keep it warm on the way.
What Should You Expect from the Vet?
The vet will definitely receive your pet and assess it. They will look for visible injuries and other subtle signs that might indicate internal bleeding or shock. If the vet doesn't find any serious injuries or issues, they may ask you to take it home and monitor it from there. But in case of serious injuries and other health concerns, the vet may admit the pet to the animal hospital for further monitoring. They may carry out diagnostic imaging to detect internal bleeding or x-rays to check for chest problems and broken bones.
Contact a vet near you to learn more.
Share8 September 2022
There are so many different diseases that can affect pets. Some of them you have probably heard of, like rabies and parvovirus. Others you may not have heard of, like alopecia x and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. To protect your pet from well-known and more obscure diseases, you need to take them to regular vet appointments. This is where they will receive vaccines, deworming agents, and other care to keep them in great shape as they age. Learn more about the care vets provide on this blog. Whether you're a cat owner, a dog owner, or the owner of some other pet, we think you'll benefit from reading here.