Witnessing your dog get hit by a car is a terrifying experience for any pet owner. In those critical moments, knowing how to react can significantly impact your dog’s chances of survival and recovery. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to help you navigate this emergency situation.
Table of Contents
Immediate Actions at the Scene
Your first instinct will likely be panic, but try to remain as calm as possible. Your dog will be relying on you.
- Ensure Your Safety First: Before approaching your dog, assess the immediate surroundings for any ongoing traffic or hazards. Your safety is paramount; you can’t help your dog if you become injured yourself. If the area is unsafe, try to warn oncoming traffic.
- Approach with Caution: Your dog will likely be in shock, pain, and fear. Even the most gentle dog may bite or snap when injured. Approach slowly and speak in a calm, reassuring voice. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises.
- Assess Your Dog’s Condition (Visually): Without moving your dog unnecessarily, try to get a quick visual assessment of their injuries. Look for:
- Bleeding
- Obvious fractures or deformities
- Difficulty breathing or abnormal breathing patterns
- Loss of consciousness
- Signs of pain (whimpering, groaning)
- Do Not Move Your Dog Unless Absolutely Necessary: Only move your dog if they are in immediate danger (e.g., in the middle of a busy road). Improperly moving an injured dog can worsen spinal injuries or internal damage. If you must move them, try to keep their body as straight as possible. Use a blanket, coat, or a makeshift stretcher to support their entire body. Gently slide them onto the support and lift carefully, keeping them level.
- Control Bleeding: If your dog is bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or towel. Elevate the injured limb if possible.
- Keep Your Dog Warm: Shock can cause a drop in body temperature. Cover your dog with a blanket or coat to help keep them warm.
- Muzzle Your Dog (If Safe to Do So): As mentioned earlier, even a normally docile dog may bite when in pain. If you have a muzzle and it’s safe to do so without causing further distress, gently apply it. If you don’t have a muzzle, be extremely cautious of their mouth.
Getting Immediate Veterinary Care
The most crucial step after securing your dog is to get them to a veterinarian immediately.
- Call Your Veterinarian or the Nearest Emergency Animal Hospital: Explain the situation and that you are on your way with a dog hit by a car. This will allow them to prepare for your arrival. Have their phone number readily available or know how to quickly find the nearest emergency clinic.
- Transport Your Dog Carefully: If you are alone, carefully lift your dog (using the blanket or support if needed) into your car. Have someone drive if possible so you can monitor your dog during transport.
- Provide Information to the Veterinary Team: Once you arrive at the clinic, provide the veterinary staff with as much information as possible about what happened and any injuries you observed.
At the Veterinary Clinic
The veterinary team will conduct a thorough examination of your dog, which may include:
- Stabilization: Addressing immediate life-threatening issues like breathing difficulties or severe bleeding.
- Physical Examination: Checking vital signs, assessing pain levels, and looking for external injuries.
- Diagnostic Tests: X-rays to check for fractures or internal injuries, blood tests to assess organ function and internal bleeding, and potentially ultrasound or other imaging.
- Treatment: This will depend on the extent of your dog’s injuries and may include pain medication, wound care, surgery, and supportive care.
Making Difficult Decisions
Unfortunately, the injuries sustained from being hit by a car can sometimes be severe and life-threatening. Despite the best efforts of veterinarians and emergency care teams, there are cases where a dog may not recover. During this heartbreaking time, your veterinarian will discuss the prognosis with you and help you understand all available options.
If your dog’s injuries are beyond repair and causing significant suffering, you may be faced with the incredibly difficult decision of euthanasia. Though painful, choosing to end your pet’s pain can be the most compassionate choice—a final act of love to prevent further distress. Your veterinarian will support you through this process with empathy and care, ensuring your beloved companion remains as comfortable and peaceful as possible.
As you prepare to say goodbye, you may also want to consider aftercare options such as cremation or burial. Cremation offers flexibility, including individual cremation—where your dog’s ashes are returned to you—or communal cremation, where pets are cremated together and ashes are not returned. The choice depends on your personal preferences and what brings you the most comfort.
Compassionate Care, the leading provider of pet euthanasia and cremation services in Portland, Oregon, understands how delicate this time can be. In their thoughtfully written article on how long it takes to cremate a dog, they offer helpful information that addresses common questions and concerns. This resource can guide you through the cremation process and help you make informed, heartfelt decisions during one of life’s most difficult moments.
Prevention is Key
While accidents can happen, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of your dog being hit by a car:
- Keep your dog on a leash: Always use a leash when walking your dog, especially near roads.
- Supervise your dog in unfenced areas: Even if your dog is well-behaved, unexpected distractions can lead them into danger.
- Ensure your yard is securely fenced: Regularly check your fences for any escape routes.
- Train your dog basic recall: A reliable recall can be life-saving in unexpected situations.
- Be extra vigilant during dawn, dusk, and at night: Visibility is reduced during these times.
Being prepared and knowing how to react in the event of this emergency can make a critical difference for your dog. By staying calm, acting quickly, and seeking immediate veterinary care, you give your beloved companion the best possible chance of survival and recovery.