What To Do If Your Dog Gets Hit By a Car
What To Do If Your Dog Gets Hit By a Car.
Dogs run off and accidents happen. Nobody wants their dog to be hit by a car! But if that ever happens to you, you should be able to deal with this emergency.
In this article, we will help you get a better picture on what you should do in that situation.
How to Help a Dog Hit By a Car
Helping a dog who got hit by a car should be approached with caution. A wounded and scared dog can tend to bite even those trying to help. Moving an injured dog can do more damage than help.
Below are steps on how to approach and help a dog hit by a car:
1. Stay Calm
The very first step you can take is not to panic. Try to keep a clear head, which will make it easier for you and everyone trying to help the dog.
Dogs can observe human emotions, and look to their dog owners for cues on how to feel or react. So staying calm and steady helps in calming the dog and preventing them from lashing out or biting.
2. Call Your Nearest Vet
Call your nearest emergency vet clinic or 24/7 hospital. Whether it’s you or the car driver, calling in an emergency is very important. The car driver should stay at the scene until help arrives.
If the driver left without calling for help, it could be considered as a hit-and-run and expose the driver to animal cruelty charges.
Your vet would be able to give you advice on how to deal with any injuries and how to prepare for your arrival at the veterinary clinic.
3. Place a Muzzle
If the dog isn’t vomiting, or does not have breathing difficulties, it’s a good idea to place a muzzle on the dog’s snout to prevent them from biting. If a muzzle isn’t available, you can use a towel, stocking, or a roll of gauze instead.
4. Assess Their Injuries
When your dog is hit by a car, the most common injuries are cuts, scrapes, and broken bones, head trauma (concussion) and internal injuries including internal bleeding.
If you notice any wounds or cuts, you should cover them with a clean cloth and apply gentle pressure to stop bleeding. Any open wounds/bleeding should be cleaned and pressure applied to stop the bleeding.
If you suspect there are broken bones, the best thing to do is to keep the dog as still as possible. Place them on a hard moveable surface such as a wooden board.
Do not give the dog any medication, food or drink which can make things worse, wait until the vet can check and assess the injuries.
5. Make The Dog Comfortable
Make sure the dog is comfortable and warm by wrapping them in a blanket or a towel instead, just be cautious not to wrap too tightly.
If the dog is not breathing normally, remove the collar to keep an open airway, and open their mouth to check for any obstructions.
What If The Dog Seems Unhurt?
It is totally possible that your dog has no visible injuries after being hit by a car. The dog may seem totally fine while suffering from serious internal injuries.
In this situation, it is important to let the vet examine the dog and specify the condition. Even in a minor accident, the dog should be examined by an experienced veterinarian.
What Will Happen At The Vets?
Once you get your injured dog to the vet, their priority will be to stabilize the dog to prevent them from going into shock.
Depending on the seriousness of your dog’s injuries, it may need to be admitted for blood tests, x-rays and ultrasound scans to exclude any serious internal injuries. Having pet insurance can help mitigate the costs of the veterinary care.
To counteract shock, the dog may need intravenous fluids (a drip) and will most likely be given antibiotics and painkillers.
Once the dog is well treated, you can take them home. Your vet will give you instructions on how to care for them and prescribe any medications necessary to reduce pain and quicken the healing process.
Who Is Liable?
Liability laws usually differ in different countries or places, but normally, the dogs’ owner is considered liable for treatment costs, and costs for the repair of the driver’s car.
Why is the dog owner responsible and not the driver? Because it is the parent’s responsibility to keep their dog restrained and away from the streets.
If it was proved that the driver was driving recklessly, or hit the dug on purpose, in that case, the driver is liable for the costs.
How to Find Your Nearest Vet Quickly
In case of emergencies, time matters. You will need to find the nearest emergency vet to quickly assess your injured dog.
On EmergencyVet247.com you can use their handy location tool to find your nearest emergency vet clinic or 24/7 hospital in no time. Their directory covers over 1,700 cities throughout all 50 states, and includes over 5,300 animal hospitals that accept emergencies.
How to Prevent Your Dog Getting Hit By a Car
To help prevent your dog from getting hit by a car, you can’t just rely on obedience training. Moreover, you’ll need to restrain them physically, either by walking them on a leash or keep them behind stable fences.
In conclusion, always pay attention to your surroundings and look out for any vehicles while walking your dog, specially when crossing the street, hold on tightly to your dog’s leash.
A dog getting hit by a car is a horrible experience. By staying calm and acting quickly but cautiously, you’ll increase the chances of survival.
