What to Do If Your Dog Gets Hit By a Car
Our dogs bring so much joy to our daily lives and we do our best to keep them safe. Sometimes, though, an unexpected emergency can come out of nowhere and can require us to respond quickly. If your dog gets hit by a car, be sure to do the following to get them the help they need:
If Your Dog Gets Hit by a Car, Stay Calm
As hard as it is to keep your cool when your beloved animal is hurt, it is essential for you to stay as calm as possible. If you get too emotional, it is hard to think clearly, which could cost you valuable minutes to help your dog. Take some time to evaluate the situation so you can determine your first move.
Carefully Move Your Dog to a Safer Location
If possible, move your dog to a safer location where they are not in danger of being struck by another vehicle. Use extreme caution when moving the dog so you do not make injuries worse. Gently see if your dog can walk. If so, walk them slowly toward your car and carefully help them into the backseat. If your dog is unable to walk, try to lift them while keeping them as flat as possible. Try not to move the head or legs too much in case there is a spinal injury.
Assess the Injuries
Before you transport your dog to the emergency vet, take time to look over their body to see if there is any preliminary first-aid you can do. If any part of their body is bleeding, use a clean towel to apply pressure. You might want to use a muzzle or a blanket to dissuade the dog from accidentally biting you.
Call the Veterinarian
It is very important to call the veterinarian as soon as possible to let them know you are coming in. Give them a brief rundown of what happened and any injuries that you can see. If there is an extremely urgent situation, they can walk you through actions you might need to take before you can get to the hospital. Even if your dog seems okay after the accident, it is important to visit the veterinarian for a full checkup.
If Your Dog Gets Hits By a Car, Get the Driver’s Contact Information
If your dog gets hit by a car, do not leave the scene of the accident without getting the contact information for the driver. Even if it was a complete accident, this information might come in handy at a later time. If nothing else, the driver may want to find out what happens with your dog. In the unlikely situation that the driver was at fault, you might decide that you want to take legal action at a later time.
Oakland Veterinary Referral Services offers emergency 24-hour emergency services. We hope you never have to use them, but our team is always here to provide immediate veterinary care. We also have a selection of specialty services to help your pet through every stage of life. To learn more, please call (248) 334-6877.
