Dog road accident, fall or trauma
After a road accident, fall or other major trauma, take your dog to a veterinarian even if they seem okay — serious internal bleeding, chest injury or organ damage can be hidden behind a calm exterior and appear hours later. Approach a frightened, injured dog carefully, as pain can make even gentle dogs bite. Support the body, minimise movement of the spine, control obvious bleeding with gentle pressure, keep your dog warm, and get to an emergency hospital; call ahead.
Go to a vet now if
- Any road accident, significant fall, or major impact
- Bleeding, obvious fracture, difficulty breathing, or a swollen belly
- Pale gums, weakness, collapse or unresponsiveness
- Pain, distress, or inability to stand or walk
Call a vet today if
- A minor knock with no bleeding and a fully normal, comfortable dog (still worth a vet call)
What to tell the vet
- What happened and when
- Visible injuries or bleeding
- Gum colour, breathing and whether they can stand
- Any loss of consciousness
- Known conditions or medicines
- Breed, weight and age
What not to do
- Do not assume your dog is fine because they can walk — internal injury can be hidden
- Do not give human pain medicines — many are toxic to dogs
- Do not move a possibly spine-injured dog without support; use a board or blanket as a stretcher
What your vet may check
Your vet will check for shock, internal bleeding, chest and abdominal injury, and fractures, using examination, imaging and blood tests. Stabilising circulation and breathing comes first.
Recovery support after veterinary assessment
Recovery depends on the injuries found. Follow your vet's plan for rest, pain relief and rechecks; supportive nutrition to rebuild condition is used during convalescence on veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
My dog was hit by a car but seems fine — do I need a vet?
Yes. Internal bleeding and chest or organ injuries can be hidden at first and become dangerous hours later. A veterinary check after any road accident is essential.
How do I safely move an injured dog?
Approach calmly, support the body, minimise spine movement, and use a board or blanket as a stretcher for a large dog. A frightened, painful dog may bite, so take care near the mouth.
What should I do about bleeding?
Apply gentle, steady pressure with a clean cloth and keep your dog warm and calm while you travel to the vet. Do not remove anything embedded in a wound.
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Related emergency guides
Sources & standards
Emergency guidance follows AVMA, Merck Veterinary Manual, ASPCA Animal Poison Control, and small-animal emergency-medicine standards, reviewed by our veterinary advisory board.